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THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


^'-tL 


A  Brief  History  of  Psalmody.  * 

By  Rev.  Henry  Beets. 

1 

Psalmody  before   the  Reformation. 

By  Psalmody  we  uiiderstand  the  use  of 
the  book  of  Psalms  in  divine  worship 
Psalmody  as  such  has  an  interesting  and 
somewhat  changeful  history  It  began  its 
career,  of  course,  in  the  Holy  Land,  among 
the  Chosen  People  of  Grod.  As  David  and 
A-saph  and  Heman  and  Ethan  and  the 
others  who  wrote  our  1.50  Psahns.  had 
composed  their  sacred  hymns,  moved  by 
the  Holy  Spirit,  they  placed  them,  un- 
doubtedly intD  the  hands  of  the  heads  of 
the  choir  of  singers  and  musicians  formed 
of  Levites,  to  whom  the  song  service  of 
the  ancient  tabernacle  and  temple  had 
been  entrusted.  Some  of  these  Psalms 
were  sung  on  appointed  days.  Ps.  '^4  for 
instance  was  sung  regularly  every  first 
day  of  the  week,  commemorating  the  crea- 
tion of  the  world,  because  the  Psalm  made 
mention  of  the  earth  and  the  fulness  there- 
of. The  second  day  of  the  week  Ps.  48 
was  sung  on  account  of  an  appropriate 
passage  in  it,  reminding  of  the  work  of 
the  second  day  of  creation.  And  so  with 
the  following  days,  on  which  Psalms  ^2, 
94,  81  and  93  were  sung  respectively.  The 
ninety-second  Psalm  of  course  was  regu- 
larly sung  each  sabbath  day  It  bears  the 
title:  '  A  Psalm  or  Song  fcr  the  Sabbath 
Day."  On  the  great  feasts  of  the  Jews: 
Passover,  Pentecost  and  Tabernacle  many 
Psalms  were  sung  of    course,    and  most,  if 


*)  Our  Connection  with  the  present 
Joint  Committee  on  a  Uniform  Version 
of  the  Psalms  in  meter  led  us  to  make 
something  of  a  study  of  the  above  sub- 
ject. Thinking  it  might  be  of  some  in- 
terest to  our  people,  who  still  love  the 
Psalms  above  all  other  songs,  we  humbly 
submit  these  sketches.  H.  B. 


3c: 

3: 


not  all  of  them,  were  sung  statedly.  The 
so-called  Hallel  Psalms  f.  i  were  used 
regularly  when  the  feast  of  the  Passover 
was  celebrated.  These  are  Ps.  113  118  in- 
clusive. It  is  claimed  these  were  also 
used  on  the  other  great  feasts.  Since  all 
the  people  of  Israel  took  part  in  the  annu- 
al feasts  they  wonld  naturally  learn  to 
sing  the  Psalms  alsj  And  they  s.mg  them 
on  diiferenb  occasions.  When  marc".U:ig 
to  battle  the  Psalms  were  empl  ived  (Cf. 
2  Chron.  20  :  2i,  28.)  When,  after  the 
return  from  captivity,  syn-iga.^aes  were 
opened  everywhere.  psi.lmsin,2,in:;^  received 
a  great  impetus,  as  it  became  part  of  the 
exercises  in  them.  And  we  can  reidilv 
surmize  that  the  homes  of  the  pious  Israel- 
ites resounded  at  the  beginning  and  close 
of  the  day  with  the  swer^t  strains  of 
Psalmody  as  a  mornivjgand  eve:jing  sacri- 
fice. At  burials  Psalms  were  chanted 
mournfully  and  slowly.  At  festiv-.^  p:-o- 
cessions  of  the  people  the  sacred  sDngs 
were  employed  joyfully,  as  we  learn  from 
the  book  of  Maccabeei.  It  se^ms  even 
that  a  number  of  Psalms  were  composed 
especially  for  the  use  of  the  laity  as  it 
marched  toward  Jerusalem  to  attend  the 
great  feasts:  the  songs  of  Degrees.  (Ps.  120 
-134.)  Such  are  the  beginnings  of  the  his- 
tory of  Psalmody. 

When  the  Church  of  the  New  Testament 
Dispensation  was  established,  psalmsing- 
ing  very  naturally  became  part  of  the  wor- 
ship in  church  and  family.  All  of  the 
Jews  were  Psalm  singers.  Th©  sacred 
hymns  of  David  had  become  so  endeared 
to  them  on  account  of  past  memories  and 
experiences  that  it  was  a  matter  of  course 
that  they  would  continue  to  use  them. 
And  the  more  since  they  were  full  of  all 
manner  of  prophecies  concerning  the 
Christ    of    God,     who   had    become  their 

Savior  and  Portioa.     Hence  we    hear    the 
rry 


42 


TflE  BA^>TE:n()F  TlllTrtl. 


N.T.  ip^ak  plainly  of  Psalmody.  Eph.  5  5  ig 
contains  Paul's  injunction  of  "speaking 
one  to  another  in  Psalms  and  hymns  and 
spiritual  songs,  singing  and  making  melo- 
dy with  your  heart  to  the  Lord."  Coll. 
S  :  16  is  quite  similar  In  James  5:13  we 
read  "Is any  merry  ?  let  him  sing  psalms." 
1  Cor.  14  :  15  reads,  literally  translated: 
"I  will  psalm  with  the  spirit  and  I  will 
psalm  with  the  understanding."  All  this 
points  very  plainly  to  the  custom  of  psalm- 
singing  in  the  primitive  Chnrch.  There 
is,  besides,  scarcely  any  doubt  whatever 
that  the  so  called  "hymn",  our  Savior  and 
his  Apostles  sang  after  the  Passover  (Matt. 
20  :  30)  was  nothing  but  a  Psalm,  most 
likely  Ps.  118,  usually  sung  at  the  close  of 
the  celebration  of  this  Sacrament.  Th  at 
the  name  "hymn"  is  employed  here  is  be- 
cause of  the  influence  of  the  Greek  trans- 
lation of  the  Scriptures— the  Septuagint. 
This  had  given  the  name  of  "hymns"  to 
some  of  the  Psalms  (6,  54.  55),  and  it  seems 
the  name  was  sometimes  loosely  applied 
to  all  of  them,  We  find  e.  g.  Josephus 
telling  us  that  David  composed  songs  and 
hymns  unto  God  —  referring  of  course  to 
the  Psalms.  And  the  Apostolic  Constitu- 
tions, still  plainer,  speak  of  the  the  Psalms 
as  hymns.  One  of  its  passages  reads:  "Let 
another  sing  the  hymtts  of  David  and  let 
the  people  repeat  the  concluding  line." 
This  last  quotation  is  another  plain  proof 
of  the  custom  of  Psalm  singing  in  the 
early  Church. 

Coming  to  the  end  of  the  second  cen- 
tury after  Christ  we  have  the  teottmony 
of  Tertullian  as  to  Psalmody.  "The 
Scriptures  are  read  and  Psalms  sung",  he 
says,  speaking  of  the  African  churches. 
Jerome,  in  the  4th  century,  tells  us  that 
Psalms  were  used  by  the  christians  of  his 
days  And  something  similar  is  stated  by 
Eusebius  of  Caesarea  and  Chrysostom,  the 
well  known  preacher.  (f407.)    And    these 


songs  of  David  were  not  alone  used  in 
Churches,  but  in  family  worship  as  well 
As  early  as  the  third  century  —  and  who 
knows  since  how  long? ,—  the  sixty-third 
Psalm  had  become  the  morning  hymn  in 
many  a  home,  and  Ps.  141  the  evening; 
song.  And  even  outside  of  tha  home 
psalms  were  employed.  Jerome  tells  us 
concerning  the  inhabitants  of  Palestine 
where  he  lived:  "You  could  not  go  into 
the  fields  but  you  might  hear  the  plow- 
man at  his  hallelujahs  and  the  vinedres- 
ser chanting  the  Psalms  of  David."  The 
Apostolical  Constitutions  already  men- 
tioned, inform  us  that,  "the  women,  the 
children,  and  humblest  workmen  could 
repeat  all  the  Psalms  of  David;  they 
chanted  them  at  home  and  abroad."  At 
funerals  also  the  psalms  were  r«gularly 
employed,  notably  Ps,  116. 

Of  course  it  is  well  known  that  other 
hymns  were  also  introduced  into  the 
church.  Some  believe  as  early  as  the 
days  of  St.  Paul,  explaining  the  "hymns 
and  spiritual  songs"  of  Eph.  5  :  10  the  re- 
fer to  human  compositions;  altho  commen- 
tators of  note  hold  these  words  to  refer  to 
titles  of  some  of  the  O.  T.  Psalms.  (Cf. 
Ps.  22  :  4;  145  :  1;  30  :  1;  48  :  1  et  al)  which 
to  us  seems  very  probable.  Moreover 
N.  T.  history  as  far  as  it  is  con- 
tained in  the  canonical  books,  does  not 
show  any  trace  neither  of  the  composition 
nor  of  the  introduction  of  hymns 

But,  whatsoever  be  the  truth  about  the 
days  of-  the  Apostles,  this  is  certain  that 
Pliny  in  his  wellknown  epistle  to  emperor 
Trajan,  written  about  112  A.  D.,  imforms 
us  that  the  christians  he  had  arrested  ack- 
nowledged that  they  sang  "a  hymn  unto 
Christ,  as  to  a  god."  And  soon  after  men 
like  the  martyr  Athenogenes  and  the 
Egyptian  bishop  Nepos,  opened  the  end- 
less list  of  hymn  writers  extending  to  the 
present  day    in    ever  increasing    numbers 


THE  BANNER  OP  TRUTH. 


43 


But  the  Psalms  of  David  seem  to  have  re- 
tained their  place  of  honor  throuoghut  the 
early  centuries  of  the  church  of  Christ* 
For  this  we  have  the  testimonies  of  men 
like  Athanasius,  Ambrose  and  Augustine- 
as  well  as  many  other  data.  And  not  alone 
is  this  true  of  the  Catholic  Church.  But 
the  Nestorians,  Abyssenians,  Copts,  Arme- 
nians and  Maronites  sang  Psalms,  and  are 
singing  them,  in  some  cases  exclusively-, 
unto  the  present  day 

During  the  Middle  Ages  uninspired 
s-^ngs  largely  took  the  prominent  place 
the  Psalms  held  continually  during  the 
earlier  centuries.  And  the  priestly  choirs, 
fostered  especially  by  the  popes  of  Rome, 
deprived  the  congregations  from  their 
ancient  privilege  of  singing  the  praise  of 
God  in  public  worship.  But  the  Psalter 
was  still  used.  Especially  in  the  monas- 
teries which  arose  in  those  dark  ages  in 
such  untold  numbers.  The  monks  sang 
David's  Psalms  continually  in  their  cha- 
pels and  cells.  And  often  at  their  labors, 
and  while  wandering  about.  Even  in  the 
middle  of  the  night  the  Psalms  were  chant- 
ed regularly  In  those  days  of  religious 
extravagancies  there  arose  even  what  was 
fitly  called  "perpetual  Psalmody.'  Relays 
of  monks  would  at  all  hours  of  the  day 
and  the  night,  year  after  year,  unceasing- 
ly, chant  the  Songs  of  David.  History 
tells  us  that  there  was  one  order  of  monks 
called  the  Graziers,  who  led  an  exclusively 
out-of-doors  life,  performing  their  psalm- 
singing  in  the  fields  and  upon  the  moun- 
tains. They  would  sing  and  pray  until 
meal  time  and  then  interrupt  that  Psalm- 
ody only  for  a  brief  season  by  cutting 
grass  for  their  food!  In  some  monasteries 
monks  were  compelled  to  sing  the  whole 
Psalter,  or  part  of  it — as  punishment  for 
transgressing  the  rules  of  the  brotherhood. 
There  was  a   time  that  the  entire    book  of 


Psalms  was  sung  a  great  number  of  times 
to  merit  special  favorr=  of  the  Almighty! 
We  read  of  one  monk  who  during  the 
forty  days  Lent  had  sung  the  entire  Psal- 
ter two  hundred  times!  Yea.  there  is  a 
statement  that  one  of  the  most  zeahms  in- 
habitants of  the  cloisters,  St.  Dominic  the 
Cuirassier,  in  twenty -four  hours  went 
twelve  times  through  I  he  whole  Psal  er, 
accompanying  his  singing  with  continual 
flogging  of  his  body.  This  wonderful 
work  of  his  was  said  to  be  equal  to  the 
punishment  of  over  sixty  one  years  in 
Purgatory 

There  was  at  least  one  occassion  in 
which  the  luiy  was  also  allowed  to  sing 
Psalms.  That  was  during  the  so-cuUed  pro- 
cessions around  the  churches  and  along  the 
boundaries  of  the  parishes.  While  the  priest 
carried  all  sorts  of  banners. bells  and  lights, 
the  people  were  permitted  to  follow, singing 
the  Psalms  of  David  as  well  as  other  songs. 
Sin:^ing  like  this  also  took  place  during 
the  many  pilgrimages  made  to  holy  places 
during  these  centuries.  At  the  time  of 
theCrusades  the  rank  and  file  had  still  more 
liberty  and  opportunity  to  engage  in 
Psalmody.  Time  and  again  some  of  the 
Psalms  were  chanted  while  the  motley 
hosts  marched  onward  toward  the  holy 
city,  or  while  they  stormed  the  towns  of 
the  moslem  foes.  It  is  stated  specifically 
that  when  Jeruzalem  was  taken  in  1099 
the  valiant  crusades  marched  to  the 
church  of  the  Resurrection  repeating 
Psalms. 

The  Psalms  sung  by  these  Crusaders 
were  in  the  language  of  the  Church  of 
those  days,  the  old  Latin  or  Italic.  Aliho 
very  likely  some  chanted  them  in  their 
own  dialects.  For  during  the  middle 
ages  more  than  one  translation  of  the 
Psalter  had  been  made  in  the  lans:uages 
of  Western  and  Northern  Europe.  Ab  early 
as  the  ninth  century  Otfrid,  a  Benedictine 


44 


THE   BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


monk,  had  coraposed   a  metrical    version 
of  the  Psalms  in  German. 

In  the  tenth  century  Notker,  the  famous 
monk  of  St.  Gall  translated  the  Psalms 
into  the  Old  German  that  monks  who 
were  unacquainted  with  Latin,  might  un- 
derstand what  they  sang.  In  the  next 
century  an  unknown  author  wrote  a 
Norman  French  version  of  David's  songs. 
To  the  twelfth  century  has  been  ascribed 
the  first  Anglo  Saxon  metrical  version 
of  the  Psalms  likewise  by  an  unkown 
poet. 

But  whatsoever  use  was  made  of  Psalm- 
ody in  Midiaeval  times  by  Roman  Catho- 
lics, this  was  surpassed  by  far  by  that 
wonderful  company  of  Reformed  people 
before  the  Reformation,  the  Waldenses. 
They  possessed  a  translation  of  the  Psalms 
in  French  and  used  it  very  frequently. 

At  work  and  at  play,  in  home  and  in 
church  the  ancient  Psalms  were  sung  with 
new  vigor  and  faith.  They  were  committed 
to  memory  and  sang  without  books,  to  the 
astonishment  of  all  who  heard  them.  So 
noted  were  these  Godfearing  people  for 
their  Psalmody  that  when  any  one  was 
found  singing  Psalms,  this  was  taken  for 
a  good  proof  that  he  belonged  to  the 
Waldenses.  The  followers  of  the  great 
forerunner  of  the  Reformation,  John 
Wiclif  undoubtedly  made  use  of  the 
Psalms  also,  possibly  of  the  English  version 
mentioned  above.  And  of  the  Hussites 
ofBohemia  it  is  stated  with  certainty  they, 
at  least  some  Psalms,  were  emploved  by 
them  in  their  wor.-hip. 

-f         -f         > 

Providence. 

Providence,  or  God's  superintendence 
over  all  created  beings  may  be  divided  into 
two  classes:  (1)  General,  or  that  exercised 
ever  all  creatures.    (2)  Particular,  as  shown 


in  God's  special  care  of  His  own  elect  and 
chosen  people.  We  read  that  God  ''maketh 
His  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil  and  on  the  good, 
and  sendeth  rain  on  the  just  and  on  the 
unjust."  How  many  mercies  which  we 
daily  receive  may  be  classed  under  the 
term  "general  providence"— the  raiment  we 
wear,  the  food  we  eat,  and  the  very  air  we 
breathe.  Many  mercies  which  it  is  im- 
possible to  do  without,  we  are  continually 
receiving,  and  yet  how  often  do  we  forget 
to  thank  our  God  for  them  Yet  there  are 
those  who  are  being  supported  in  life  and 
kept  in  existence  by  the  mercy  of  God  who 
dare  to  deny  His  being.  We  sometimes 
wonder  at  this,  but  let  us  examine  our  own 
hearts,  and  remember  how  often  we  mur- 
mur and  complain,  although  receiving  so 
many  bounties  from  God's  hand;  and  oh 
that  we  may  be  stirred  up  to  thankfulness 
and  exclaim,  "Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul, 
and  forget  not  all  His  benefits"  !  Not  only 
does  God  care  for  human  beings,  but  He 
also  provides  for  the  beasts  of  the  field  and 
the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  clothes  the  lilies 
of  the  field,  and  He  says  to  His  people, 
"Therefore,  take  no  thought,  saying.  What 
shall  we  eat?  or.  What  shall  we  drink?  or, 
Wherewithal  shall  we  be  clothed?  (For 
after  all  these  things  do  the  Gentiles  seek:) 
for  your  heavenly  Father  knoweth  that  ye 
have  need  of  all  these  things."  We  must  not 
infer  from  this  that  we  are  to  sit  down  and 
idly  fold  our  arms,  for  God  always  meant 
that  we  should  use  proper  means,  but  let 
us  ever  remember  that  He  alone  can  bless 
those  means,  and  never  let  -'us  ascribe  any 
praise  to  ourselves,  for  all  our  talents  are 
but  lent  to  us  for  a  time.  What  is  meant 
by  "take  no  thought"  is,  no  over-anxious 
thought.  We  are  not  to  put  temporal  be- 
fore spiritual  concerns. 

In  Psalm  civ.  there  isa  beautiful  account 
of  God's  providence  as  shown  in  nature, 
and  in  the  book    of  Job,    chapters  xxxviii 


THE  15AKNEU  OF  TRUTH. 


51 


tate  upon  it?  It  is  important  to  see  all 
that  He  has  revealed  of  Himself  in  it;  hence 
we  muut  come  to  the  Bible  to  know  God» 
and  to  Christ,  to  know  all  the  excellency  of 
God:  so  shall  we  see  the  Pather*s  everlast- 
ing love  to  us,  and  the  delight  the  Son  had 
in  paying  our  debt.  When  the  mind  is 
thus  drawn  out  of  the  soul  is  filled  with 
Joy  and  comfort.  Have  you  experienced 
this?  Do  you  know  something  of  it?— if 
you  do,  you  will  be  desirous  to  cultivate  it, 
and  to  shovv  forth  His  praises  in  your  life 
and  temper.  If  any  man  love  God,  he  will 
love  his  brother  also  (see  1  John  iv.  20). 
*"Above  all  these  things  put  on  charity, 
which  is  the  bond  of  perfectness,"  i.e.^ 
ties  all  the  graces  together,  so  that  there  is 
a  splendour  about  those  who  practice  these 
things  above  those  who  do  not.  It  is  the 
very  fault  the  World  ^.nds  with  Christians 
that  there  is  so  much  strife  and  quarrelling 
amongst  them.  Brethren,  these  things 
ought  not  so  to  be. 

Lastly,  the  Aposlle  says.  "And  let  the 
peace  of  God  rule  in  your  hearts,"  &c.  By 
the  peace  of  God  we  are  to  understand  that 
which  connects  God  and  His  people  to- 
gether; and  they  are  all  connected  into  one 
by  Christ's  blood,  There  is,  then,  a  con- 
n-ective  power  in  this  word  peace — it  is 
this  which  drives  away  every  f^ar  in  the 
mind.  Oh,  brethren,  religion  is  not  a 
notion  of  the  head,  it  is  not  a  number  of 
principles  floating  in  the  mind,  but  it  is  a 
reality;  it  is  the  most  important  fact  that 
has  ever  been  accomplished,  viz.,  Ihat 
Christ  has  redeemed  His  people  from  their 
sins —  it  is  that  which  gives  the  assurance 
that  our  sins  are  forgiven.  Ask  yourselves 
the  question,  Am  I  quite  prepared  to  say 
that  God  hath  forgiven  me  all  my  sins? 
and,  if  not,  why  are  you  not  prepared  to 
say  so?  The  Apostle  speaks  strongly  on 
this  point:  "Examine  yourselves,  whether 
ye  be  in  the     faith;  prove  your  own  selves 


Know  ye  not  your  own  selve.s,  how  that 
Jesus  Christ  is  in  you,  except  ye  be  repro- 
bates?'* (2  Cor.  xiii.  5.)  So  that  religion 
consists  in  the  knowledge  of  God's  love  to 
us;  and  I  would  not  say  much  for  the  re- 
ligion of  the  mouth  only,  for  one  which 
does  not  make  a  person  mamly  desirous  to 
glorify  God.  There  may  be  a  great  know- 
ledge of  the  things  of  salvation  without 
any  answering  practical  effect;  but,  if  it  be 
the  religion  of  the  heart,  there  will  be  a 
corresponding  effect  in  the  life  and  temper. 
Now,  is  there  anything  so  important  as  the 
knowledge  of  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins^ 
"The  peace  of  God,"  how  are  we  to  obtain 
it?  God  is  called  the  God  of  Peace,  Christ, 
the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
speaks  peace  to  the  heart,  so  that  it  flows 
from  each  Person  in  the  Trinity. 

But  some  of  you  may  say.  After  all,  I 
am  not  among  the  subjects  of  these  bles- 
sings. I  see  no  evidence  of  it  in  my  life 
and  temper.  I  am  often  anxious  about  it. 
but  cannot  feel  I  am  one  of  God's  children. 
It  is  a  mercy  for  you  to  argue  thus,  be- 
cause it  shows  you  have  a  real  desire  for 
the  knowledge  of  God.  But  ask  yoursel- 
ves. Have  we  been  diligent  in  the  study  of 
God's  Word?  have  we  been  constant  in 
attending  on  ordinances?  in  improving 
every  opportunity  that  offers  for  spiritual 
benefit?  and  you  will  say  you  have  «o^.  I 
am  privileged  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  you. 
but  religion  is  quite  as  important  to  you 
as  to  me.  Now.  how  are  these  blessings  to 
be  obtained?  In  a  commonplace  manner: 
by  the  use  of  means.  You  may  attend  to 
your  worldly  business  —  and  so  you 
ought — but  let  tfie  concevn  of  your  soul 
hold  the  primary  importance. 

"Let  the  peace  of  God  rule  in  your  hearts 
to  which  also  are  ye  called  in  one  body: 
and  be  ye  thankful"  (Col.  iii.  loV  Ah. 
brethren,  we  are  so  called  by  God,  from 
ev.^rlasting  by   Christ,   who    is  continually 


m^  baj^ner  of  fKtjfii. 


speaking  to  our  hearts,  and  by  the  Holy 
Ghost,  who  sanctifies  us.  Now  we  are  to 
be  thankful  for  these  things,  to  ponder 
them  over^  and  the  Apostle  shows  us  in  the 
following  verse  (IG)  how  we  are  to  attain 
these  graces  of  which  he  has  been  speaking 
and  how  we  may  obtain  that  blessedness 
and  stayedness  of  spirit  which  is  so  desir- 
able.-^^^/r^/ffo^  /rfini  a  sermon  by  Revi  Ji 
Prosser^  M.  A. 

^  4         ^ 

A  Brief  History  of  Psalmody. 

By  Rev.  Henry  Beets, 
II 
I'talmo^y  »ince  the  F^fof mafiori  on 
the  European   Continent. 

When  the  bright    and  glorious  day  of  the 
Meformation  banished  the    spiritual    dark- 
ness of  mediaeval  times   in  the  Old  World, 
it  also  brought  honor  and    extensive  use  to 
the  ancient  songs  of  David   and   the   other 
Old  Testament  saints^     As    in    many  other 
things,  Luther  was  also  the  pioneer  in  this 
respect.     It  is  true^  before  him,  partly  con- 
temporaneously,   a  few  had  tried  to  versify 
a  few  Psalms    in    German      Spengler   had 
done  this  with  Ps.  127;    Agricola  with  Ps. 
117  and  2,  and  Hans  Sachs  with  Ps.  19,  11, 
13  and  15.     But   their  achievements  might 
be  called  "rhymes",    they  were  not  poetry. 
Luther  however,    poet    as  he    was    by  the 
grace  of  God,     made    poetry  of    the  ancient 
lays  of  Israel.     His    volume  of  36  spiritual 
songs,  published  1524,    contained,     besides 
translations  of    Latin  hymns,  and  original 
songs,  a  small  nuniber  of    Psalms;     They 
Were  more  paraphrases    than  metrical  ver- 
sions, that  is  ti'ue^  they  were  the  Psalms  of 
the  old  in  the  dress  of  thei  ^few  Testament; 
but  in  essence   they    were    the     Psalms  of 
Israel.     His  well  known  hymn;     "Bin  feste 
Burg    ist    unser   Got",    is  at  heart  Ps.  46. 
Some  Other  Psalms  thus  paraphrased  were 
Ps.  12,  14,  87,  97,  124,  128  and  130.    Luther 


lived  to  see  his  version  of  the  Psalms  ei'eed 
ingly  popular.  They  were  sung  by  all 
classes  and  everywhere.  The  battlefields 
resounded,  and  the  woods  reverberated 
with  them,  and  they  were  echoed  by  the 
hills  and  mountain  sides  They  were 
translated  into  different  languages  of 
Europe  and  helped  much  to  spread  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Reformation.  "Luther's 
hymns  and  songs'^  wrote  Adam  Conzenius^ 
a  Jesuit/  "have  drawn  more  souls  out  of 
the  Catholic  Church,  than  all  his  other 
writings  combined!"  What  a  pity  Luther' 
did  not  translate  the  entire  Psalter!  He 
was  able  to  do  it!  What  a  treasure  the 
churches  of  theReformation  would  have  had 
in  it!  As  it  iSj  the  paraphrases  of  Luther 
alone  represent  well  might  the  entire  Psal-- 
ter  in  the  German  Lutheran  hymnbooks. 
The  vast  majority  of  songs  used  by  that 
great  Church  are  man-made,  uninspired^ 
Compositions,  splendid  in  many  ways,  it 
is  true,  but  stil  no  peers  to  the  songs  of 
David  and  of  Asaph!  Luther  and  the 
Lutheran  Church  never  fully  grasped  the 
unique,  the  surpassing,  the  eternal  value 
of  the  book  of  Psalms! 

The  proper  I'eali/ation  of  the  worth  of 
sacred  Psalmody  was  perceived  first  by  the 
great  leader  of  the  other  branch  of  the 
Reformation :/<7/z«  (jalvin.  That  man  of 
God  with  his  wonderful  insight  into  the 
depth  and  breadth  of  true  religion  also  pef-- 
ceived  plainly4  and  plainer  than  any  one 
before  him^  that  the  book  of  Psalms  was  to 
be  the  hymnal  of  the  Church  thruout  the 
ages.  Not  that  Calvin  desired  to  exclude! 
all  othei'  compositions;  he  favored  the  ver- 
sification of  different  prose  portions  of  the 
Bible.  But  the  Psalter  was  to  be  the  book 
of  public  praise.  As  he  wrote  in  1542  "I 
agree  with  Augustine:  when  we  sing 
Psalms,  then  alone  are  we  certain  that  God 
puts  the  words  into    our  mouth,    as  if    He 


THE  BANNER  oF  TRUTH> 


himself  sang  in  us  to  glorify  him.'*  And 
Calvin  succeeded  in  introducing,thePs.ilms. 
First  of  all  in  Strasburg  whither  he  went 
after  he  was  banished  out  of  Geneva.  Cal- 
vin came  to  that  German  city  in  September 

1538  as  pastrr  of  the  French  Protestant 
church  there.  And  in  November  of  that 
same  year  his  congregation  had  begun  to 
sing  the  songs  of  David  in  French  meter. 
At  first  twelve  Psalms  were  used,  doubt- 
less written  copies.  The  next  year  how 
ever  no  less  than  18  Psalms  were  printed. 
Whence  did  Calvin  get  his  versified  psalms? 
Twelve  of  the  Psalms  of  this  book— the 
first  Reformed.  Psalter  published  —  were 
written  by  one  of  the  courtiers  of  the  king 
of  France.  This  courtier  was  Clement  Mar ot, 
born  '496,  (?)  died  1544.  Marot  was  a  born 
pott.  Tired  of  the  vain  and  erotic  ciiarac- 
ter  of  the  songs  of  his  days  he  had  been 
charmed  by  the  beauty  and  strength  of  the 
P.salms  of  David  as  translated  into  French 
by  Vatable.  He  bad  attempted  to  versify 
twelve  of  them,  viz.  Psalms  1,  2,  30,  15, 
19,  32.  91,  103,  114.  130,  137  and  143,  and 
had  succeeded  remarkably  well.  His  ver- 
sion became  exceedingly  popular.  All  the 
aristocratic  world  of  France,  including  the 
king,  sang  the  Psalms  of  Marot.  The  mas- 
ses followed.  For  the  time  being  Psalm- 
singing  became  the  rage  in  all  France. 

Now,  Calvin,  in  some  way,  became  ac- 
quainted with  thpse  few  Psalms  of  Marot. 
He  recognised  their  value  and  utilized 
them  straightway  in  his  congregational 
worship.     But,  we   stated    above,  Calvin  in 

1539  published  eighteen  Psalms,  wheras 
Marot's  had  only  versified  twelve  so  far 
Whence  did  he  get  the  other  six  ?  They 
were  Calvin's  own  productions.  He  felt 
however  that  they  were  very  much  inferior 
to  Maroi's  version  and  rejoiced  when  he 
was  able  in  later  issues  to  replace  them 
with  those  of  the  French  poet.  In  1541 
Calvin  vvas  recalled   to  Geneva.     Forthwith 


he  introduced  his  Psalter  there  also  The 
next  year  brought  Marot  himself  to  that 
same  city.  Being  suspected  of  hersey  the 
French  poet  fled  to  Geneva  and  Calvin 
made  use  of  his  talent  to  such  an  extent 
that  in  1543  he  could  publish  a  collection 
of  49  Psalms.  Marot  alas,  did  not  complete 
the  versification  of  the  Psalter.  Fearing 
men  more  than  God  he  did  not  remain 
loyal  to  the  Reformed  faith.  But  the  Lord 
had  raised  up  another  man  in  his  place: 
Theodore  Beza,  the  famous  Theologian' 
(1519-1605.)  He  completed  the  versifica* 
tion  of  the  Psalms  in  meter,  in  imitation 
of  Marot  The  entire  Psalter  was  pub- 
lished in  I562v  Beza's  Psalms  were  in- 
ferior to  Marot's  in  poetical  value,  aUho 
not  as  much  as  some  hostile  critics  have 
tried  to  prove.  And  God  blessed  this 
French  Psalter  to  a  remarkable  degree.  It 
w^as  used  by  French  Protestant  churches 
everywhere  until  the  end  of  the  I7th  cen' 
tury.  They  were  the  much  beloved  songs 
of  the  Huguenots  thruout  their  eventful 
history.  They  were  their  battle  hymns  — 
especially  the  68th  Psalm  —  their  songs  of 
comfort,  their  funeral  dirges.  They  in' 
spired  them  time  and  again  to  perform 
wonderful  deeds  of  daring,  and  of  majestic 
faith! 

After  a  lapse  of  a  century  and  a  half 
however  the  version  of  Marot  and  Beza  be- 
came unsatisfac:ory.  Conrart  and  de  la 
Bastide  at  length  became  authors  of  a 
revised  version,  which,  proving  satisfac- 
tory to  the  authorities  in  Genera,  was  pub- 
lished in  1695.  It  was  quite  generally 
adopted  by  French  speaking  churches 
every  where,aUhoquite  a  number  continued 
to  use  the  old  version.  In  course  of  time 
however  this  new  version  shared  in  the 
fate  of  the  old:  it  became  unsatisfactory. 
And  thru  the  influence  of  the  increasing 
liberalism  among  the  descendants  of  the 
Huguenots  psalmsinging  in  genera,    lost  its 


54 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


attractions.  The  French  Reformed  church- 
es at  present,  with  a  few  exceptions  annong 
the  Waldenses    and    elsewhere,     use  but  a 
selection     of    Psalms,     embodied    in  their 
hymnal     "Recueil     de    Cantiques."      Sad 
index  it  seems  to  us,     of  the  decline  of  the 
Huguenot    ChurchesI       The    Psalmody  of 
Marot  and  Beza    is    not  significant  for  the 
French     churches     alone    however.     They 
exerted  a  marked    influence   on  other  ver- 
sions of  Reformed  denominations.     Among 
these    on     the    Psalms    of     the    Reformed 
Church     of   Germany     Ambrosius  Lobzvasser, 
professor  of  juris  prudence  in   Koningsberg 
in  1573  published    a     version    in    German, 
modeled  after  the    Genevan    Psalms.     This 
Psalter,  altho  lacking  in  poetical  /alue,  was 
used  for    a    long    time    by     the  Reformed 
Churches  in  Germany   and  also  by  German 
speaking     congregations    in      Switzerland. 
There  was  a  time,    during    the    17th   cen- 
tury, that    it    virtually    crowded  the  unin- 
spired Songs  out  of  the     German  Reformed 
Church.    The  rise  of  Pietism  and  Rational- 
ism  however   changed    this    again     and  at 
present    the     German    Reformed^Churches 
everywhere  are  very  much    like  the     Luth- 
eran denominations:  hymns  are  sung  nearly 
exclusively.     In  Switzerland    no   one  sings 
Psalms  any  more.     Of    the     nine    cantonal 
hymnals  in    use  there,    only  one  contains  a 
few  of  Israel's  sacred  songs. 

There  are  however  still  a  number  of  Gor- 
man churches  in  Germany  iind  America 
whj  give  a  place  of  honor  to  the  Psalter 
The  Reformed  churches  of  East  Friesland, 
in  the  province  of  Hanover,  have  a  very 
poetical  version  of  nearly  the  entire  book 
of  Psalms  which  they  use  together  with 
about  300  hymns.  But  the  Old  Reformed 
Churches  of  East  Friesland  and  Bentheim 
use  the  Psalms  exclusively  in  divine  wor- 
ship. They  employ  a  version  published  in 
1793  by  Rev  Matthias  Jorissen..  Jorissen 
was  a  native    German,    born    in  17H9,  died 


1823.     He  belonged  to   the  Netherland  Re- 
formed Church  and  for  the  space  of  nearly 
forty  years    he    ministered    to  the  GeFman 
members  and  adherents  of  this    Church  in 
the  Hague.     His  version  is  in  a  New  Testa- 
ment spirit  and    follows  the  Dutch  version 
of  1774    quite    closely.     Jorissen's     Psalms 
are  also  in  use  by  a    number  of  churches  in 
the  Rhine  Province,     and    by    the  German 
speaking    congregations  of    the    Chr.    Re- 
formed Church  in  North  America.    Passing 
from  Germany  northward,     we    notice  that 
the     Scandinavian    churches    follow    quite 
closely  the  lead  of     the    German   Lutheran 
Church  in    the   preponderanct^    of    hymns. 
We  read  of  only  one  attempt  to  versify  the 
Psalter.     It  was  made  b^    Torstenius  Johan 
nis,  a  musician  of  the  Swedish  King  Charles 
IX.     But  his  work  closely  following  Marot, 
was  never  used.     In    Poland  \s\).^tQ    Calvi- 
nism flourished  during    a    brief  p^^riod,   an 
imitation  of  Marot  was  published    in  1.563. 
It  was  made  by  Bernard  Woieivodka  of  Cra- 
cow.    The  neighboring    country    of  Russia 
also  received  a  version  of    the  Psalter.       It 
appeared  in  1G23  in  Wilna,  under    the  title 
"Psalms  sung  in  Churches  "   But  it  seems 
it  was  never  used  to  any  extent.  In  Hungary 
Psalmody  prospered     far     more.      As  early 
as  1608  a  Hungarian  version,  modeled  after 
Marot's    was   printed     at     Hanau.     To  the 
present    day     the      Hungarian    Calvinists, 
numbering  over    two     million   people,    are 
Ps.ilmsingers,     Altho    not  exclusively,     for 
in  Hungary  as  well     as     in  Bohemia,  hymns 
are  bound  up    with    ttie    Psalter.     But  the 
ancient  songs    of     David,    we    are  glad  to 
notice,  are  preferred    very    much  in    both 
these  countries      To    which    we    may  add 
incidentally     that     the     Hungarians     sing 
their    Psalms     very    slowly,     drawing  out 
each  syllable  as   long    as  their  vocal  organs 
permit.       Surpassing    therefore    even    the 
Dutch,  so  proverbially   slow  in  theirpublic 
praise. 


THK    BANN15R  OP  TRUTH. 


55 


This  leads  us  to  a  brief  sketcli  of  the 
history  of  Psalmody  in  the  NetheAands  and 
its  colonies.  The  first  Holhmd  version  of 
part  of  the  Psalter  in  meter  appeared  in 
1540.  It  was  the  collections  of  **Souter 
L  i  e  d  e  k  e  n  s'*  (Psalter  Songs)  of  William 
Van  Zuylen  Van  Nyevelt.  It  followed  the 
prose  version  of  the  Psalms  as  found  in  the 
Vulgate,  the  liible  in  Latin  used  by  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church.  The  tunes  in  it 
were  those  of  the  popular  airs  of  the  day. 
Van  Zuylen  published  his  songs  to  coun- 
teract the  singing  of  the  erotic  and  some- 
times very  vulgar  ditties  Current  at  that 
time.  He  succeeded  somewhat  in  this. 
But  the  Lord  used  this  volume  especially  to 
spread  the  principles  of  the  Reformation 
among  the  masses. 

As  these  principles  were  grasped  more 
and  more  however,  the  Protestants  of  the 
Netherlands  began  to  object  to  these 
"S  o  u  t  e  r  L  i  e  d  (•  k  e  n  s"  on  account  of 
their  worldly  tunes.  Three  new  versions 
in  meter  now  appeared,  accompanied  by 
more  suitable  music.  The  first  of  these 
was  made  by  Jan  Utenhove,  elder  of  the 
Dutch  refugee  church  in  London,  worship- 
ping in  the  venerable  building  in  Austin 
Friars  used  by  a  Holland  congregation  to 
the  present  day.  In  1548  Utenhove  first 
published  10  and  afterward  25  Psalms  in 
Holland  meter;  Other  issues,  constantly 
enlarged,  followed.  In  1561  the  entirt 
Psalter  of  Utenhove  appeared  in  London 
by  Jan  Daye.  The  title  was:  '' De  Psalmen 
Davidis  in  Nederlandischer  Satii^-sryme  door 
Jan  Utenhove,  van  Ghentt/'  This  version 
was  used  a  number  of  years  by  the  Dutch 
Churches  in  England,  and  also  in  Flanders, 
until  Datheen's  Psalter  took  its  place. 
Even  in  London  itself  the  latter  version 
was  adopted  finally  in  1580. 

In  1565  another  Dutch  metrical  version 
appeared.  Its  author  was  Lucas  de  Heere, 
born    in    153-4    in    Ghent.     It     followed  the 


Vulgate  and  was    never    popular.     Partly 
because  it  contained  only  37  Psalms. 

The  really  popular  version  was  published 
in  1566.  It  followed,  both  in  meter  and 
music,  the  French  Psalms  of  Marot.  It 
was  made  by  the  wellknown  and  remark- 
able Peter  Dathenus,  (born  1531,  died  1590.) 
This  fiery  and  eloquent  man  had  a  very 
checkered  career  He  rendered  ihe  Re- 
formed  Church  of  the  Netherlands  invalue- 
able  services  in  its  early  days  of  struggle 
and  resistance  unto  blood.  The  first  edi- 
tion of  his  Psalter,  containing  all  the 
Psalms  bore  the  long  title:  ''Die  Psalmen, 
Des  Konijicklijken  Propheten  Davids  en  de 
ander  Lofgesangen,  iii'i  den  Francoysen  dichte 
ghemaecht  door  Clement  Marot  en  de  Theodore 
Bese,  in  Nederlandische  spraecke  oVergeset  door 
Petrum  Datkemim.  It  was  printed  it  says 
at  the  end  of  the  volume,  "in  Heydelberghe 
by  Michiel  Chiraet,  Anno  MDLXVI."  As 
mentioned  in  the  title  it  contained,  as  iup- 
plement,  a  few  spiritual  songs,  viz.  the  so 
called  Nunc  Dimittis,  the  magnificat  and 
Benedictus,  besides  a  rhymed  version  of 
the  Apostle's  creed  and  Lord's  prayer  —  iu 
the  main  the  same  which  are  found  to  the 
present  day  in  the  back  of  the  Dutch 
Psalter.  This  version  of  Ualhenus  was 
popular  from  the  start.  It  was  used  dur- 
ing the  Eighty  years'  war  with  Spain,  and 
thruout  the  golden  age  of  the  Dutch  repub- 
lic. It  was  used  everywhere  in  the  colon- 
ies founded  by  the  Netherlanders  in  South 
and  North  America,  in  South  and  East 
Africa,  in  the  East  Indies,  yea  whereever 
the  Dutch  flag  ever  floated  on  land  and  sea. 
It  took  a  wonderful  hold  of  Dutch  minds 
and  hearts  and  retained  it  universally  for 
over  two  centuries.  And  even  then  some 
preferred  and  a  few  do  prefer  and  use  it. 
to  the  present  day.  Still  the  version  is  far 
from  perfect.  Its  rhyme  is  often  uncouth 
and  wretched.  It  followed  the  French 
Continued  on  page   58. 


5« 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


The  Banner  of  Truth. 


A  magazine  devoted  to  the  spread  of  Bible 
Truth.  Published  monthly  at  Paterson,  N.  J. 
bj  order  of  the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  under 
the  gupervision  of  the  Publication  Committee 
consisting  of  Revs.  J.  C.  Voorhis,  S.  I.  Vander- 
beek,  and  J.  A.  Westervelt, 


TEKMS : 

Yearly  in  advance  -  -  75c. 

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All  subscriptions  and  communications  should 
De  sent  to  Rev  J.  A,  Westervelt,  Corresponding 
Editor  and  Treasurer,  50  N.  First  St.,  Pater- 
son, N.  J. 

Signs  of  the  times. 

The  Apostle  speaking  with  respect 
to  the  principles  which  embody  pure 
and  undefiled  religion,  makes  a  dis- 
tinction between  the  form  and  the 
power:  and  not  only  so,  but  urges  the 
improvement  of  the  principles  for  the 
betterment  of  the  individual,  and  tlie 
glory  and  honor  of  God.  To  de- 
monstrate his  own  attitude,  the  apos- 
tle tells  us  he  was  determined  to 
know  none  other  than  Jesus  Christ 
and  him  crucified.  This  suggests  to 
us  that  there  was  a  cause  proceeding 
from  the  facts  of  Christ's  attitude  to 
the  world,  that  caused  the  open 
clamour  for  his  life.  If  there  had 
not  existed  in  the  life  of  Christ  a 
condemning  element,  the  race  and 
malice  of  the  Jews  had  never  existed. 
But  the  very  fact  that  the  religious 
principles  held  by  the  ancient  church 
was  called  in  question,  excited  the 
indignation  of  the  Jews,  and  recog- 
nising the  fact  that  the  power  which 
Christ  exercised  by      word    and      act 


threatened  the  superstructure  of 
their  formal  pretensions  of  divine 
worship. 

Christ  tells  us  the  nature  of  his 
mission  in  the  world  did  not  consist 
in  making  a  confederacy  with  exis- 
ting evils,  but  in  a  Regeneration  of 
the  individual,  making  him  a  new 
creature,  bringing  him  not  only  into 
a  formal  relation  with  his  God,  but 
imparting  unto  him  the  influence  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  at  which  time  they 
should  receive  power.  This  is  a  de 
monstrated  fact  in  the  thousands 
converted  and  added  to  the  Church. 

It  is  evident  when  we  look  about 
us  that  instead  of  finding  an  open 
hostility  between  truth  and  error, 
there  exists  in  its  stead  an  elfort 
to  reconcile  all  the  differences  which 
exist  by  the  simple  admission  that 
it  is  a  fact  that  we  have  our  different 
opinions,  hence  for  the  sake  of  peace 
we  will  agree  to  differ  Xow  this 
sign  of  our  times  while  it  may  ap- 
pear most  generous  on  the  part  of 
those  w^ho  endorse  it.  does  it  agree 
with  Christ's  true  attitude?  He  de- 
clares that  he  did  not  come  to  send 
peace  on  earth  (Math.  10  :  34.  While 
he  advocated  the  things  that  belong 
to  tliy  peace  Luk.  19  •  4:2.  The  ori- 
gin of  he  term  ''Protestant  church", 
if  sve  understand  the  history  of  its 
origin,  proceeded  from  the  fact  that 
certain  evils  existed  that  demanded  a 
seperation  from  its  communion.  The 
fact  is  emphasized  '-hen  we  consider 
the  various  bodies  that  exi^t  and  are 
termed  Christian.  And  especially  at 
the  present  signs  forcing  themselves 
upon  our  attention,  we  are  compelled 
to  inquire  has  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church  changed?  Or  has  tiie  Prote- 
stant Church  changed?  Have  we  re- 
nounced the  verdict  of  our  fatriers  as 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


57 


to  the  doctrines  entertained  by  that 
body?  Or  have  they  renounced,  the 
doctrines  which  caused  the  sad 
conditions  which  provoked  so  much 
suffering  and  bloodshed?  We  have 
not  heard  of  their  change  as  to  their 
principles.  Then  one  of  the  signs  of 
the  times  is  this^  that  the  principles 
as  a  matter  of  importance  to  a  proper 
fellowship  in  any  true  federation  is 
being  lost  sight  of  in  our  day. 

We  are  not  reasoning  for  contro 
versies  and  dissensions.  Bu'  we  wish 
to  inquire  if  the  signs  of  our  times 
bespeak  sincerity  on  our  part  to 
the  things  which  we  profess  to 
be  ieve?  And  if  we  are  not  sincere  in 
our  declarations  as  to  truth  profes- 
sed, will  we  escape  the  charge  which 
God's  word  declares?  Math.  16:3. 

Again  what  are  the  signs  respect- 
ing the  Church  as  it  respects  the 
social  conditions  of  the  world?  In  the 
time  when  Christ  was  upon  earth  He 
opened  the  book  of  Isaiah  and  found 
the  place  where  it  is  written,  ^'The 
spirit  of  the  Lord  is  up  )n  me  because 
he  hath  anointed  me  to  preach  the 
Gospel  to  the  poor;  he  hatti  sent 
me  to  heal  the  brokenhearted,  to 
preach  deliverance  to  the  captives, 
and  recover ing  of  sight  'o  the  blind 
to  set  at  liberty  them  that  are  bound, 
to  preach  the  acceptable  year  of 
the  Lord  ••'  The  attitude  of  Christ 
as  a  teacher  proclaims  the  immense 
value  he  set  upon  the  individual  soul. 
He  was  a  shepherd  seeking  out  the 
lost  sheep,  and  bearing  them  in  his 
arms  to  tlie  fold.  The  woman  sweeps 
the  house  until  she  finds  the  lost 
piece.  The  relation  of  the  Churcli 
appears  from  ore  point  of  view  if  we 
take  the  signs  of  our  times,  to  be  a 
partaker  with  the  world  through  its 
members  in  all  its  follies.  The     world 


has  its  theaters,  dances,  card  parties 
and  innumerable  other  means  of  enter- 
tainments. And  while  the  professed 
Church  has  not  attained  the  perfec- 
tion which  the  world  has,  she  appears 
to  be  doing  the  best  she  can  to  imi- 
tate the  world,  and  to  show  her  ap 
preciation  of  this  world's  sport  and 
pleasures.  To  a.  certain  extent  she 
has  been  handicaped  by  reason  of 
members  posessing  means  which  she 
did  not  wish  to  loose  by  turning 
them  awfiy  from  her  communion.  W^e 
are  glad  to  say  at  this  time  that 
while  in  sorrow  of  heart  we  see  so 
much  apostasy  in  our  day,  that  there 
are  others  who  maintain  the  needs 
of  separati  n  from  he  world,  and 
discover  the  needs  of  such  import- 
ance that  they  willingly  refrain  from 
the  very  appearance  of  evil. 

These  are  signs  in  our  times,  dear 
readers,  which  should  lead  us  to 
personal  examination,  and  lead  us 
to  inquire  into  the  trend  of  our 
lives.  Xeed  we  say  that  the  signs 
should  alarm  us?  Are  the  prevalent 
signs  a  mark  of  Christian  advance- 
ment, or,  are  they  an  evidence  that 
to  a  very  great  extent,  that  which 
is  called  Christianity  is  simply  form 
destitute  of  power  to  renew  either 
the  heart  or  the  life  of  the  individual? 
Brethren  these  things  ought  not  to 
be  so.  The  principles  of  revealed 
religion  will  not  permit  of  it,  even  if 
the  principles  of  men  will.  It  is 
the  old  story  which  the  world  has 
rejected  from  the  earliest  period  of 
its  existence,  and  we  dare  not  change 
our  attitude  with  respect  to  the 
conditions,  the  alarming  conditions, 
which  from  all  the  external  siiifns 
of  our  days,  threaten  the  existence 
of  a  pure  Church  in  the  world. 
We  are  aware  of  the  fact  that     this 


sg 


THE   BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


by  some  is  termed  Foggisra.  But 
the  question  still  remains,  who  is  on 
the  Lord's  side? 

>        >        ^ 

A  brief  History  of  Psalmody. 

Continued  from  page  55. 
version  more  than  the  Hebrew  original. 
Realizing  this  an  attempt  was  made  to  re- 
place it  with  a  better  version.  Author  of 
this  was  the  noble  Mamix  of  St.  Al4egonde, 
the  close  friend  of  William  the  Silent,  a 
very  gifted  and  learned  as  well  as  pious 
man.  His  Psalter  in  meter,  following  the 
Hebrew,  was  published  in  1580.  It  is  far 
superior  in  poetry  and  accuracy  to  the  work 
of  Dathenus.  Unfortunately  all  attempts 
to  introduce  it  into  the  Netherland  Church 
failed  dismally.  Beholding  that  even  this 
excellent  version  could  not  take  the  place 
of  Dathenus'  Psalms,  various  talented  men 
tried  to  improve  these  more  or  less.  But  no 
matter  what  was  suggested  — it  was  unsuc- 
cessful. At  last  however  the  beloved 
version  was  dethroned.  In  Jan.  1773  in 
the  Maurice  House  in  the  Hague,  nine 
Dutch  ministers  and  two  representatives 
of  the  States  General  met  as  a  committee 
appointed  by  the  government,  to  prepare  a 
:new  version.  It  succeeded  in  doing  so, 
selecting  it  out  of  three  different  versions 
published  respectively  by  Hendrik  Ghysen 
(1686),  by  the  Society  "-Laus  Deo,  Salus 
Popidor  {Vl^V)  and  by /.  .^.  F^^i",  (1763.) 
The  first  copies  left  the  press  Sept.  1774. 
Newyear's  day  1775  they  were  taken  into 
use  by  the  Reformed  Churches  of  the 
Netherlands  everywhere,  in  villages  and 
-cities. 

This  new  version  is  very  excellent  in 
many  ways  There  is  true  poetry  in  it  It 
is  very  smooth  and  easily  learned  by  heart. 
The  spirit  of  the  New  Testament  is  in  it  in 
such  a  way  as  to  render  the  Psalter  very 
appropriate  for  use   in  our    days  as  well  as 


during    the    Old    Testament  dispensation. 
It  renders  "hymns"  well  nigh,  if  not  wholly 
superfluous.     Yet  it   is  far  from  having  the 
incongruity  of    the  paraphrasing  of  Watts- 
Not  that  the    Dutch  version  is  perfect      It 
has  flaws.     But  to  our  mind  it    is  a  nearly 
ideal     New  Testament    version    of   the  Old 
Testament  Psalms.     Should  we  ever  get  an 
English  version  equalling  ifin  smoothness, 
poetry  and  N.  T.  flavor  —  we  would  thank 
God  and    advocate    its     use  very  strongly. 
The  Holland  Psalter  of    1774  rapidly  found 
its  way  in  Dutch  churches  outside     of  Hol- 
land as  well  as  in  that   country  itself.     The 
Dutch  Reformed  Church  of  America  made 
some  use  of  it.     To    the    present     day  it  is 
the  only  book  of  public    praise  used  by  the 
Holland     speaking    congregations     of  that 
Church.     The  Christian  Reformed  church- 
es in  America  which  employ    the  Dutch  in 
their    services,  love  it    heartily    and  use  it 
exclusively,     The  Dutch  Reformed  Church 
in  South  Africa  still  clings  to  it,  altho  using 
a  number  of  hymns  besides.   The  Reformed 
Church  in  South    Africa   is  like    the  Chris- 
tian Reformed  Church  in  NorthAmerica  in 
singing  its    Psalms    alone.     The    Holland 
Churches  in  the  West  and  East     Indies  em- 
ploy this  Psalter  in    their  worship.     In  the 
Netherlands    it    is    used    universally  by  all 
Reformed    denominations.        Tho    not    ex- 
clusively,   for   the    Netherland    Reformed 
Church  sings    hymns    as    well    as    Psalms. 
There  is  every    prospect    that    the  version 
will  be  employed     by    Holland    Reformed 
people  every  where    for     many,     many  de. 
cades  to  come.     There  is    not     one   sign  to 
the  contrary,  bless  God!     Yet,    not  all  Cal- 
vinistic  churches  in     Holland    use  the  ver- 
sion of  1773.     A   few  independent    congre. 
gations.  some    hyper-calvinistic,    still  sing 
the  Psalms  of  Dathenus.       They  are  found 
mostly  in    the    province  of    Zc^aland.     One 
solitary    congregation    in    North    America 
follows  their  example, 


THE    BANNER  OF   TRUTH. 


67 


The  forgiveness  of  sins  is  another  blessing 
this  Prince  givos.  Now,  Iho  forgiveness  of 
sins  IS  to  be  preached  in  His  name,  by  all 
His  sent  servants;  for  God  works  by  and 
with  His  Word,  ilutt  His  elect,  v/hom  He 
convinces  of  sin  by  His  most  Holy  Spirit 
in  the  day  of  His  power,  might  hear  and 
receive  this  joyful  sound,  and  walk  in  the 
light  of  His  countenance.  Unless  a  poor 
condemned  sinner  hath  an  evidence  that 
his  sins  are  forgiven,  he  must  needs 
go  on  heavily;  for  fear  (slavish  fear)  hath 
torment;  and  no  burden  is  so  heavy  as  guilt 
and  sin  upon  a  man  This  will  make  him 
bow  down,  but  not  in  humility,  rather  in 
despondency;  and  if  ever  he  be  made  to 
rejoice,  it  is  by  repentance  being  brought 
to  his  heart,  even  the  forgiveness  of  sins, 
according  to  the  riches  of  G.jd's  grace.  As 
the  Holy  Ghost  says.  "Heaviness  in  the 
heart  of  man  maketh  it  stoop;  but  a  good 
word  was  spolven  by  Christ  to  Mary  when 
He  was  in  this  world,  visibly,  unto  whom 
He  said,  "Thy  sins  are  forgiven."  The 
same,  in  substance,  He  had  said  by  the 
mouth  of  Isaiah  seven  hundred  years 
before — "I  have  blotted  out  as  a  thick 
cloud  thy  transgressions,  and  as  a  cloud 
thy  sins"  (Isa  xliv.  22).  Surely,  if  ever 
Jesus  speaks  a  good  word  to  a  sinner's  heart, 
it  is  when  He  proclaims  liberty  to  that 
poor  captive  soul— ''Go,  thou  poor  condem- 
ned sinner,  and  pray  to  Jesus  Christ."  Won- 
derful have  been  the  effects  of  this  course, 
as  many  liave  testified,  and  many  others 
could,  if  called  upon  so  to  do.  Art  thcu 
one  of  the  rebellious?  Remember,  this 
Prince  and  Saviour  is  ascended  on  high; 
"yea,  for  the  rebellious  also,  that  the  Lord 
God  might  dwell  among  them"  (Psa. 
Ixviii.  18). 

"Hail  !  Prince  of  Peace,  the  sinn"r's  All  ! 
Low  at  Thy  footstool   let  me  fall; 
Oh,  may  my  soul  Thy  name  adore 


When  sins  anrl  sorrow  are  no  more  ! 
'Keep  Thnu  alive  my  faith  and  hope, 
And  bear  my  sinking  spirits   up; 
Help  me  to  wield  the  shield  of  faith. 
And  triumph  both  in  life  and  death. 

SH.  F. 


A  Brief  History  of  Psalmody. 

By  Rev.  Henry  Beets, 

III 

English  and  Scotch  Psalmody. 

The  first  Anglo-Saxon  metrical  version 
of  the  Psalms  which  has  come  down  to  us, 
is  thought  to  have  been  made  in  the 
twelfth  century.  Its  author  is  unknown. 
A  copy  of  it  is  preserved  in  the  Corpus 
Christi  College  library  in  Cambridge,  Eng. 
Revised  copies  are  found  in  the  British 
Museum.  Nothing  is  known  of  the  extent 
to  which  this  Psalter  has  been  used. 
Equally  little  is  known  of  the  version 
which  the  followers  of  John  Wickliff  used 
—  the  so-called  Lollards  —  altho  it  is 
quite  certain  that  they  employed  psalms  to 
some  extent  as  they  went  about  on  their 
singing  and  preaching  tours.  As  the  light 
of  the  Reformation  dawned  upon  England 
Psalmody  came  in  use  there  as  well  as 
well  as  everywhere  on  the  European  con- 
tinent. The  earliest  versification  of  the 
Psalms  into  English  metre  in  the  century 
of  the  Reformation  was  prepared  by  the 
wellknown  and  very  diligent  Reformer 
Miles  Coverdale  (148G-1568).  His  motive  in 
versifying  the  Psalms  was  exactly  like  that 
of  van  Zuylen  in  preparing  his  Souter 
L  i  e  d  e  k  e  n  s,  (p.  55  Oct.  Banner),  viz 
that  they  might  take  the  place  of  the  vul- 
gar baliads  of  the  day  which  were  sung  by 
high  and  low  of  the  English  people  Co- 
verdale published  his  book,  containing 
thirteen  Psalms,  in  1539,  under  the  title: 
'"Ghostly       Psalvis        and       Spiritual     Sciij^s 


68 


THE    BANNER   OF  TRUTH. 


Drawn  out  of  the  Holy  Scriptures/'  The 
tunes  were  like  those  of  the  popular  songs 
of  the  time.  Alas,  Coverdale's  purpose,  un- 
like van  Zuylen  —  was  not  attained.  Hen- 
ry Vni  forbade  the  people  to  possess  it. 
During  the  reign  of  Henry's  successor,  the 
Godfearing,  Edward  VI,  so  well  known  as 
a  champion  of  the  Reformation,  a  number 
of  versified  Psalms  were  published.  It  is 
said  the  princess,later  Queen  Elizabeth,  was 
the  first  one  to  follow  Coverdale.  Her  ver- 
sion of  the  fourteenth  Psalm  was  printed 
in  1548.  William  Hunnis,  gentleman  of  the 
chapel  under  Edward  YI  versified  the 
•even  penitential  Psalms,  very  soon  after- 
ward. He  issued  them  under  the  peculiar 
title  ''Seven  Sobs  of  a  Sorrowful  Soul  for 
Sin:'  In  1549  Sir  Thomas  ^a// published 
another  version  in  meter  of  the  penitential 
Psalms.  During  ihe  course  of  that  same 
year  no  less  than  three  other  versifications 
of  the  Psalms  appeared.  Sir  Thomas  Smith 
secretary  to  the  king,  published  eleven 
Psalms  in  English  Meter. 

A  larger  book  was  ihe  one  entitled; 
'''Psalter  oj  David,  newely  translated  into  En- 
glish fnetre  in  such  sorte  that  it  may  be  more 
decently  and  with  more  delygte  of  the  minde 
be  reade  and  songe  of  all  men.  Translated  and 
imprinted  by  Robert  Crowley.  This  was  the 
first  issue  that  contained  all  the  Psalms. 
But  it  did  not  come  into  general  use,  The 
same  year,  1549,  was  the  year 
,of  a  publication  destined  to  be- 
come much  more  popular.  It  was  the 
.little  volume  called:  ''All  such  Psalms  of 
X)avid  as  Thomas  Sternhold  did  in  his  lifetime 
drazue  into  English  metre.:^  It  was  published 
by  E.  Whitchurch.  Sternhold  served  as 
master  of  the  robes  of  bjth  Henry  VIII 
and  Edward  VI.  He  was  a  staunch  sup- 
port of  the  Reformation  and  a  Goclfearing 
man.  He  died  the  year  his  Psalms  were 
issued.  His  volume  was  prepared  to 
serve  as  substitute  for  the  popular     ditties 


of  his  time  —  again  like  Coverdale— and 
*his  time  more  successful. Sternhold's  book 
contained  only  a  selection  of  the  Psalms, 
variously  given  as  51,  44,  40  and  37  in 
number. 

Id  1551  there  appeared  an  edition  wUich 
contained  37  Psalms  of  Sternhold, to  which 
were  added  7  Psalms  versified  by  John 
Hopkins,  'minister  at  Suffolk  This 
book  was  taken  up  by  Scotch  refu. 
gees  on  the  European  continent.  They 
changed  it  somewhat  to  make  it  conform 
more  to  the  Hebrew  and  added  7  Psalms 
versified  by  Whittingham,  one  of  their 
pastors.  A  tune  was  attached  to  each  of 
these  Psalms.  In  1561  a  volume  was  pu- 
blished in  Geneva  containing  87  Psalms. 
Of  these  37  were  by  Sternhold,  7  by  Hop- 
kins, 16  by  Whittingham,3  by  a  certain  Pu- 
lain  and  25  by  William  Kethe,a  native  of 
Scotland.  As  a  supplement  it  contained  a 
number  of  spiritual  songs. 

Finally,  in  1563,    the  entire  Psalter     of 
150  Psalms  was  published.    It  was    entit- 
led:     The  whole  Boke  of  Psalms     collected  into 
English  metre  by   Thomas  Sternhold,  J      Hop- 
kins and  others;     conferred    with    the    Ebrue, 
with  apt  notes   to  sing    t/wm  with  all.        Imp- 
rinted at  London   by  John  Day.''  This  volume 
came  into    general    use     in     the    English 
churches      Not  immadiately,    it    is    true, 
because  the  prose  Psalter  continued  to  be 
chanted  for  a  longtime  yet  in  the  establis- 
hed Church.     But.  altho  slowly    at    first, 
it  became  popular  at   length      During  the 
reign     of    Queen     Elizabath's     successor. 
James  I.  no  less  than  sixty  diflferent    edi 
tions  of  the  Psalms  of  Sternhold  and    Hop- 
kins appeared.     It  continued  in    England 
almost  to  the  time     of     the     Restoration. 
Even  to  the  present  day  it  is  employe  1  in 
some  country     parishes    of    England  and 
Ireland      Sternhold    and  Hopkins    Psa'ms 
are  usually  spoken  of  astho  "Old  Version." 
Many  have    sneered    at     its    rugged    and 


THE  BANNER  OP  TRUTH. 


69 


uncouth  expressions.  John  Wesley  called 
it  "scandalous  doggerel,"  and  it  must  be 
admitted,  its  poetry  is  very  poor,  judged 
by  literary  standards  of  today.  One  re- 
deeming feature  however  is  possessed  by 
it:  faithful  adherence  to  the  original,  and 
that  means  a  good  deal. 

After  the  Old  Version  had  become 
popular,  a  great  number  of  attempts  were 
made  to  give  the  Church  better  versifica- 
tions of  all  or  some  of  the  Psalms.  It  is 
said  that  no  less  than  one  hund- 
red and  fifty  persons  versified 
smaller  or  larger  parts  of  the 
Psalter  before  the  close  of  the  seventeenth 
century  Among  them  are  men  as  well 
know  as  archbishop  Parker,  Lord  Bacon, 
John  Milton  and  Richard  Baxter.  But 
all  of  these  attemps  were  futile 

A  century  and  a  half  however  after 
the  Old  Version  had  baen  published,  there 
appeared  a  volume  entitled.  "^  new  Ver- 
sion of  the  Psalm  of  David,  fitted  to  tunes 
used  in  Churehes."  (London,  1696).  And 
this  volume  would  at  last  succeed  in  de- 
throning the  Old  Version.  This  new  ver- 
sion was  prepared  by  Nahum  Tate,  born 
in  Dublin  1652,  died  1715,  for  some  time 
poet  laureate  of  England,  and  Rev.  Nicho- 
las Brady,  born  in  Ireland,  1659,  died 
1726,  a  clergyman  of  the  Established 
Church. 

Tate  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  better 
poet  of  the  two.  Tate  and  Brady's  Psalms 
are  far  smoother  than  those  of  the  Old 
Version.  They  contain  some  fairly  poeti- 
cal portions.  But  as  a  whole  their  versi- 
fication is  tame  and  monotonous.  Some 
spoke  disparagingly  of  its  "inflated 
verbosity".  The  authors  were  so  fortu 
nate  as  to  obtain  the  sanction  of  the  reig- 
ning monarch  (William  III)  for  its  use  in 
in  the  Episcopal  Church  Many  critics 
objected  to  it.  The  masses  were  loath  to 
part  with  the  Old  Version     with      which 


they  had  become  so  familiar  But  not- 
withstanding this  Tate  and  Brady's  Psal- 
ter at  last  took  the  place  of  the  old  and  is 
now  used  in  most  of  the  Episcopal  Chur- 
ches of  England,  Scotland,  Ireland  and 
the  British  Colonies.  It  is  known 
to  this  day  as  the  "New  Version." 
Not        many  years  after        the 

adoption  of  the  New  Version  there    arose 
in  England  a  poet  of  no  mean  ability  who 
was  to  exert  a     great    influence     on    the 
Psalmody  of  nearly  all    English   speaking 
Churches.    This  poet  was  Isaac   Watts,  an 
independent  minister, born  at  Southampton 
1674,  died  1748.     Watts,      when    a  young 
man,  had  come    to    dislike     the    Psalms 
sung  in  the  meetinghouse  where  he  atten- 
ded, on    account     of   their     poor    poetry. 
Complaining  about  this   to    his    father  he 
was  told  to  try  what  he  could  do  to  mend 
the  matter.     Watts  tried.     His  effort    was 
praised      And  in  the    year     1719    he    wafe 
able  to  publish  his  versification    of    all   of 
the  Psalms,  together  with  a  large  number 
of  hymns.     Watts  did    not  simply   versify 
the  Psalms.     He  remodelled  them.     As  he 
himself  wrote  to    Cotton    Mather:     "It   is 
not  a  translation  of  David  I  pretend,     but 
an  imitation  of  him  so  nearly  in  Christian 
hymns,    that    the    Jewish  Psalmist     may 
plainly  appear,    yet    leave    his     Judaism 
behind.''    And  Watts  carried  out  his  plan. 
He  never  hesitated  to  read  into  the  Hebrew 
Psalms   their    New    Testament     exegesis. 
He  substituted  everywhere  the  gospel  for 
the  law.     Where  the  Psalmist    speaks    of 
sacrifices  of  bullocks.  Watts  speaks  of  the 
sacrifice  of    Christ.     Does    the     Psalmi.^t 
speak  of  fear,    Watts  of    faith    and    love. 
The  Psalms  of  Watts  contain  very      beau- 
tiful portions.  As  a  rule  they  are  spiritual 
and  edifying.     They  have    been  a    source 
of  comfort  to  millions.     Their   popularity 
among  the  Independents    in    the     United 
Kingdom  was    phenomenal      A    few    are 


70 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


used  to  this  day  in  nearly  all  English 
speaking  Churches.  Yet.  it  must  be  con- 
fessed that  Watts'  rendering  cf  the  O.  T. 
Psalms,  cannot  escape  the  charge  of  in- 
congruity. He  .  took  too  much  liberty 
with  the  inspired  songs  of   Zion. 

A  history  of  Psalmody  would  be  very 
incomplete  indeed,  without  mentioning 
Psalm  singing  among  those  who  are  often 
called  the  Psalmsingers  of  English  spea- 
king people  -  the  Presbyterians  of  Scotland, 
Therefore  we  close  our  present  article 
with  a  sketch  of  Psalmody  among  them. 

The  Scotch  Reformed  people  began  with 
Psalmsinging  at  a  very  early  date.  Their 
first  metrical  Psalms  were  composed  by 
John  and  Robert  Wedderburn,  two  brothers, 
living  in  the  City  of  Dundee.  On  this 
account  their  Psalms  are  usually  known 
as  "Dundee  Psalms."  It  seems  they  pub- 
lished twenty  different  Psalms,  They 
were  sung  to  the  tunes  employed  at  the 
time  by  the  Dutch  and  French  refugee 
churches  on  the  continent.  There  are 
indications  that  some  or  all  of  these 
Psalms  were  in  use  among  the  Scotch 
as  early  as  1544. 

When  the  version  of  Sternhold  and 
Hopkins  appeared  the  congregations  in 
Scotland  began  to  supplement  their  Dun- 
dee Psalms  with  these. 

And  when  the  Genevan  volume  of  87 
Psalms  was  published  in  1561  (see  above), 
this  was  immediately  adopted  by  the 
Scotch  Church.  The  Dundee  Psalms  were 
abolished.  The  same  year  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Church  of  Scot 
land  resolved        to         prepare  a 

volume  of  the  Psalms  for  its  own  use.  This 
was  published  in  1564  with  the  title; 
"The  form  of  prayers  and  ministration  of 
the  sacraments  etc,  used  in  the  English 
Church  of  Geneva,  approved  and  received 
by  the  Church  of  Scotland,  vrhereunto 
that  was  in  the  former  Bookes   are  added 


sondrie  other  prayers,  with  the  whole 
Psalms  of  David  in  English  metre."  This 
new  Psalter  contained  the  J^7  Psalms  of 
the  Genevan  edition  of  l561.  some  Psalms 
versified  by  Robert  Pont  and  John  Craig 
and  a  number  of  new  versifications  of 
John  Hopkins  All  of  these  however  had 
been  altered  to  suit  the  taste  of  the  Scotch 
assembly.  Not  alone  words  and  lines  but 
whole  verses  had  been  changed  consider- 
ably. This  Scotch  Psalter  of  1564  contin 
ued  in  undisputed  use  in  Scotland  for 
an  entire  century.  It  was  published  tins* 
and  again  both  in  Scotland  and  in  Hol- 
land. 

But  after  a  century  the  Scotch  version 
was  to  share  in  the  fate  of  all  the  other 
versions  dating  from  the  early  d^iys  of  the 
Reformation.  We  read  that  Robert  Pont 
mentioned  above,  was  appointed  as  early 
as  1601  to  revise  the  Scotch  Psalter.  But 
nothing  came  of  this.  King  Jasues  I,  a  poet 
as  well  as  a  theologian,  soon  afterward 
personally  began  the  work  of  revising  the 
Psalms.  By  the  time  of  his  death  (1625,  he 
had  versified  no  less  than  31  Psalms  King 
James'  version  was  revised  and  complet- 
ed by  William  Alexander  and  published  in 
1631.  It  became  known  as  the  ''Royal 
Psalter."  Some  of  its  portions  speak  well 
for  the  poetical  ability  of  the  mon- 
arch. His  soil.  Charles  I,  made  repeated 
attempts  to  substitute  the  Royal  Psalter 
for  the  version  of  the  Scotch  Assembly. 
But  it  was  all  in  vain.  The  people  clung 
tenaciously  to  the  old  Psalter.  Until— as 
we  said — a  century  after  its     publication- 

The  version  to  take  its  place  is  usually 
known  as  Rous'  version.  Francis  Rous 
was  born  in  Cornwall  in  1579  and  died  in 
1658,  He  was  a  scholarly  man,  several 
times  a  member  of  Parliament.  God  fear- 
ing and  zealous  for  the  truth  of  the  Re- 
formation He  first  published  his  version 
of  the  Psalms  in  1641  and  again  in    164t. 


l^HE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


71 


tt  bore  the  title  'The  Psalms  of  David 
in  English  meeter,  set  forth  by  Francis 
Rouse''.  This  latter  volume  was  laid  be- 
fore the  famous  Westminster  Assemblies 
of  divines  which  was  convened  by  order 
of  Parliament,  and  solemnly  opened  July 
1.  1643. 

This  assembly  adopted  the  version  of 
Rous.  Principally  because  it  was  *'so  clos- 
ely framed  according  to  the  original  text" 
But  before  it  was  put  into  the  hands  of 
the  churches  it  was  thoroly  revised.  Not 
alone  by  a  committee  of  the  Westminster 
Assembly  which  labored  on  it  for  about 
two  years,  but  also  by  committees  appoin- 
ted by  Scotch  Presbyteries  andAssemblies. 
Seven  years  in  all  were  spent  in  revising 
and  correcting  Rous'  Psalms,  and  they 
were  modified  to  such  a  degree  that  even 
Rous  himself  would  have  had  difficulty 
in  recognizing  his  own  work.  It  had 
rirtually  become  a  compilation  from  the 
▼ersions  of  Sternhold  and  Hopkins,  king 
.Tames*  and  others,  as  well  as  from  the  ver 
aion  of  Rous  At  last  it  was  printed  in 
Edinburgh  in  1650,  with  the  title:  "The 
Psalms  of  David  in  meeter:  newly  transla- 
ted and  diligently  compared  wiih  the 
original  text  and  former  translations; 
more  plain,  smooth  and  agreeable  to  the 
text  than  any  heretofore.  Allowed  by  the 
Authority  of  the  General  assembly  of  the 
Kirk  of  Scotland  and  appointed  to  be  sung 
in  Congregations  and  Families."  It  was 
gradually  introduced  in  Scotland  until  it 
came  in  universal  use  there.  The  Presby- 
terians and  Independents  in  England  did 
not  adopt  it  as  generally  as  the  Scotch 
had  hoped,  yet  it  was  extensively  adopted 
among  them  Even  some  Baptists  em- 
ployed them  in  their  worship,  yea  the 
Unitarians  of  Ulster,  in  Ireluid.  In  the 
British  colonies  the  version  of  Rous  wa« 
likewise  received  with  approbation  by  all 
Presbyterian  bodies  and  many    other    Dis- 


senters. For  over  two  centuries  it  contin- 
ued in  authorized  use  among  the  dissenting 
Churches  of  Scotland  and  Ireland.       And 

rightly  so.  Rous'  version  has  many  merits. 
Chief  among  them  is  its  strict  adherence  to 
the  words  of  inspired  Scripture.  Besides, 
it  has  many  very  happy  renderings  of  the 
original  and  some  really  poetie  portions. 
But  it  must  also  be  admitted  that  very 
many  of  the  expressions  are  awkard.  And 
that  its  rhyme  is  often  very  imperfect  and 
sometimes  even  wretched  when  looked  at 
from  a  poetical  standpoint.  Many  of  its 
terms  are  antiquated.  Altogether,  a  new, 
version,  up  to  the  standards  of  our  days,  is 
urgently  needed.  Otherwise  Psalm  singing 
will  suffer  irreparable  damage.  Even  now 
it  is  fast  loosing  its  hold  among  the 
Scotch,  so  favorably  known  for  their 
staunch  adherence  to  Psalmody.  In  all 
the  large  denominations  of  Scotland 
hymns  are  being  sung  today  and  since  ma- 
ny a  day. 

^         >►  ^ 


A  Brief  History  of  Psalmody. 

By  Rer.  Henry  Beetf. 
IV. 
Psalmody  in  North    America. 

When  the  first  Protestant  settlers  of 
North  America  who  cared  anything  for 
God  and  his  worship,  came  to  this  country 
they  naturally  took  along  the  Psalters  or 
Hymnals  they  had  used  in  their  home 
churches.  The  colonists  of  Virginia  and 
its  neighboring  settlements  therefore  who 
belonged  to  the  Established  Church  of 
England,  first  employed  the  '-Old  Version" 
of  Sternhold  and  Hopkins,  ("Banner",  Nov. 
p.  68).  The  Dutch  of  N^rv  Yerk  and  AV-r 
//Tj^rv  sani:  the  praises  of  God  out  of  th^ 
version  of  Dnthenus,   (Banner,  p.  .■).•■>.)     The 


86 


THE    BANNER  OP  TRUTH 


Huguenols  who  settled  in  the  Carolinas  and 
elsewhere,  used  the  Psalms  of  Marot 
(Banner,  p  53.)  The  Germans  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, employed  the  versions  of  the  Luthe- 
ran or  Reformed  Churches  to  which  they 
belonged.  And  the  Presbyterians  who 
settled  in  the  lait  named  colony  and  other 
places  clung  loyally  to  the  Psalters  then 
used  by  their  brethren  in  Scotland,  Ireland 
or  England.  But  a  notable  exception  to 
this  was  formed  by  the  first  settlers  of  New 
England,  the  Puritans.  For  these  did  not 
usd  the  versions  employed  in  the  land  of 
their  fathers.  They  brought  to  America 
an  entirely  different  version.  A  version 
made  inHolland  and  adopted  by  them  while 
in  Holland,  where  the  first  of  rhem  had 
gone  in  1608.  The  author  of  this  was  the 
wellknown  Henry  Ainsworth,  born 
in  Lancashire,  England  in  1560,  died  in 
Amsterdam  about  1623.  He.  was  a  God 
fearing  man,  a  scholar  of  note  and  pastor 
of  the  Independent  or  Brownist  Church  in 
Amsterdam  until  his  death.  His  version 
was  published  first  in  the  latter  city  in  the 
year  1612.  The  title  was;  ''The  Book  of 
Psalms  published  both  in  prose  and  metre. 
With  annotation,  opening  the  tvords  and  sen- 
tences by  conference  with  other  Scriptures.'''' 
Ainsworth  had  versified  the  Psalmns  out 
of  the  original  Hebrew.  He  has  also  turn, 
ed  them  into  prose  and  set  thi^  version  next 
to  the  other,  to  be  easily  compared  Some- 
thing like  the  Dutch  Psalm  books  still 
have.  Short  notes  were  added  to  explain 
hard  words  and  phrases.  This  book  con- 
tained music  as  well  as  the  words.  As  the 
author  stated:  '"the  singing  notes  I  have 
most  taken  from  the  English  Psalms,  when 
they  will  fit  the  measure  of  the  verse;  and 
for  the  other  long  verses  I  have  taken  (for 
the  most  part)  the  gravest  and  easiest 
tunes  of  the  French  and  Dutch  Psalmes" 
•'The  music  was  printed  in  the  lozenge  or 
diamond-shaped    notes,     without  bars,  and 


was  in  the  German    choral  style."*) 

AinsworLh's  version  was  gladly  received 
by  the  Independents  in  Holland.  And 
when  the  "Pilgrims"  left  that  hospitable 
country  they  took  '*a  neat  edition"  of  it 
along  to  the  New  World.  For  over  twenty 
years  after  the  landing  in  Plymouth  this 
Psalter  comprised  the  whole  Psalmody  of 
the  New  England  Puritans,  and,  along 
with  those  of  other  versions,  it  continued 
in  use  in  some  parts  until  the  close  of  the 
seventeenth  century.  Ainsworth's  Psal-r.s 
have  been  severely  criticized  for  lack  of 
taste  and  poetic  merit.  And  certainly 
much  of  this  criticism  was  just  according 
to  present  standards  These  however  are 
not  to  be  used  in  judging  poetry  of  nearly 
three  certuries  ago.  This  certainly  can  be 
said  of  the  version  now  considered:  it  aimed 
to  adhere  strictly  to  the  sacred  text.  And 
this  was  one  of  the  main  features  desired 
As  a  sample  of  the  style  of  Ainsworth's 
Psalms  we  insert  his  rendering  of 
Psalm  1.  t) 

"O  blessed  man  that  doth  not  in 

The  wicked's  counsel!  walk; 
Nor  stand  in  sinners'  way;  nor  sit 

In  seat  of  scorn ful-/*:-/-^ 

But  setteth  in  Jehovah's  law 

His  pleasureful  delight; 
And  in  his  law  doth  meditate 

By  day  and  eke  by  night. 

And  he  shall  be,  like  as  a  tree 

By  water  brooks  planted; 
Which  in  his  time  shall  give  his  fruit 

His  leaf  eke  shall   not  fade. 

And  whatsoever  he  shall  doe 

It  prosp'rously  shall  thri /e 
Not  so  the  wicked;  but  as  chaff 

Wnich  winde  awav  doth-drive. 


*)     See    Longfellow's  Courtship  of  Miles 
Standish,  Part  III. 


f)  This  Psalm  we  copy  from  the  valu- 
able work  "Davids'  Hai-p  in  Song  and  Story 
by  J.  W.  Clokey,  D.  D.  now  of  Tr^y,  O. 
We  are  very  much  indebted  to  this  treatise. 
Its  main  fault  lies  in  the  scant  treatment 
it  accords  to  the  Psalmody  on  the  European 
continent,  especially  that  in  the  Nether- 
lands 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


81 


Therefore  the  wicked  shall  not  in 
The  jiidgen:ient  stand  upright' 

And  in  the  assembly  of  the  just 
Not  any  sinful — xvight. 

For,  of  the  just,  Jehovah  he 

Acknowledgeth  the  way: 
And  way  ot  the  upgracious 

Shall  utterly -decay." 

But  Ainsworth's  version  Was  not  satis- 
factory to  all  Puritans,  mainly  because  it 
was  not  as  literal  a  rendering  as  some  de- 
sired. They  thought  God  ought  to  be 
praised  in  public  worship,  as  much  as  pes- 
sible,  in. the  very  words  of  Scripture.  Con- 
sequently, about  1639  some  of  the  chief 
divines  of  New  England,  among  whom 
were  the  wellknown  John  Eliott  of  Rox- 
bury,  and  Richard  Mather  of  Dorchester, 
Mass.,  took  each  of  them  a  portion  of  the 
Psalms  to  be  versified  as  literal  as  possible. 
The  result  of  these  labors  was  ''The  Bay 
Psabnbook'\  published  in  1640  in  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.,  the  first  book  printed  in 
British  America.*)  It  bore  the  title: 
^' The  Psalms  in  metre.  Faithfully  translated 
for  the  use,  Edification  and  Comforts  of 
Saints,  in  public  and  private,  especiatly  in  N'ew 
England:' 

This  Bay  Psalmbook,  also  called  the 
'■'New  England  Version*  was  afterward 
somewhat  "revised  and  refined"  by  Presi- 
dent Dunster  of  Harvard  College,  assisted 
by  Richard  Lyon,  This  version  was  issued 
in  1650.  "For  over  one  hundred  years, 
this  revised  Bay  Psalmbook  passed 
through  edition  after  edition  without  any 
alteration  whatever.  It  met  with  favor, 
not  only  in  New  England,  but  in  the  old 
country  as  well.  Numerous  editions  of  it 
were  published  in  England  and  Scotland. 
It  was  the  first  printed  American  book.  Its 
uncouth  ruggedness  surpassed,  the  old  ver- 
sion of  Sternhold  and  Hopkin.s.  Indeed  its 
poetry  was   simply  wretched   in  numerous 


•)     CI.    "Literary  Digest",    Aug.  1,  1908. 
p    134. 


places.  The  quantity  of  the  lines  varied 
greatly,  some  containing  more  and  some 
fewer  syllables  then  the  metre  required. 
This  fault  was  remedied  by  contracting  or 
lengthening  a  word  as  the  case  called  for. 
The  word  nation  was  sung  e.  g.  was  con- 
taining three  or  even  four  syllables.  "In 
the  city"  was  contracted  to:  "P  th'  city" 
etc-  We  give  two  brief  quotations  as 
samples  of  the  wretched  "poetry"  the  Bay 
Psalmbook  contained: 

'The  Lord's  song  sing  can  wee?  being 

In  stranger's  land,  then  let 
Loose  her  skill  my  riirht  hand  if  I 

Jerusalem   forget."  [Ps.  137.) 

"The  earth  Jehovah's  is, 

And  the  fulnosse  of  it: 
The  habitable  world,   and  they 

That  there  upon  doe  sit."  [Ps.  24.] 

The  only  reason  why  such  a  version  could 
be  adopted,  tolerated  and  loved  was  be- 
eause  it  was  as  liberal  a  rendering  as  the 
Puritans  had  never  had  before.  And,  as 
we  said,  this  was  what  they  considered  the 
chief  desideratum.  When  the  authors  were 
reprimanded  for  their  unpoetic  rendering 
of  their  version,  they  would  say:  "God's 
altar  needs  not  our  polishing,  for  we  have 
respected  rather  a  plain  translation  than 
to  smoothe  our  verses  with  the  sweetness 
of  any  paraphrases,  and  so  have  attend- 
ed to  conscience  rather  than  elegance." 

And  yet  the  tender  conscience  of 
of  those  who  insisted  upon  singing  "the 
Lord's  songs  of  prayse  according  to  his 
own  wille",  were  not  fully  satisfied.  The 
Rev.  John  Cotton  wrote  a  tract  to  prove 
that  the  singing  of  literal  Psalms  was  a 
godly  exercise.  And  Cotton  Mather  in 
1718  published  \\\s''' Psalterium  Americanuvi" 
or  "The  Book  of  Psalms  in  a  translation 
exactly  conformed  unto  the  Original,  but 
all  in  blank  verse  fitted  unto  thetunes  com- 
monly used  in  the  Church."  He  did  not 
want  to  injure  the  conformity  to  the  orisiin- 
7V  be  Continued  on  paee  5)0. 


88 


THE    BANNER   OF  TRUTH. 


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The  Banner  of  Truth  was  first 
issued  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1866. 
The  privilege  to  publish  such  a  monthly 
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these  days  of  formality,  these  perilous 
times. 

Against  the  floods  of  Socinian,  Ar- 
minian,  Hopkinsian,  Antinomian,  and 
such  like  errors,  for  their  names  and 
forms  are  Legion —  we  propose  to 
raise  a  Standard  :  "When  the  enemy 
comes  in  like  a  flood,  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  shall  lift  up  a  standard  against 
him,"  Isai59:19,  lest  all  be  swept 
away  by  it,  and  this  should  be  so.  For 
if  the  foundations  be  destroyed,  what 
can  the  righteous  do."  Psa.  11  :3. 

Laboring  to  maintain  the  Truth  in  its 
Purity,  Savour,  and  Unction,  will  then 
be  our  earnest  endeavour. 

We  propose  to  take  as  our  standards, 
first  — the  Bible,  then  The  Heidelberg 
Catechism,  the  confession  of  Faith,  and 
the  Heads  of  doctrine  established  by 
the  Synod  of  Dort,  &c.  With  such 
approved  authors,  whose  writings  have 
ever  by  the  pious  been  considered  safe 
guides  in  exposition  and  illustration,  we 
shall  quote  from  such  authors  as  Owen, 
Flavel,  Toplady,  Brakel,  &c.,  of  the 
purer  days  of  the  ReformedChurch  :  and 
also  from  time  to  time  select  sermons  of 
t.iose  faithfu]  men  whose  praise  is  still  in 
the  churches.  We  shall  also  endeavor 
to  pfive  the  news  of    the    churches,    as 


THR  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


89 


may  be  interesting  and  important ;  so 
that  all  who  feel  an  enterest  in  the 
things  pertaining  to  Zion,  may  know  of 
the  dealings  of  the  Most  High,  in  provi- 
dence and  grace  with  us. 

With  a  deep  feeling  of  our  unfitness 
for  the  work,  yet  with  earnest  desire  to 
further  the  Master's  cause,  and  main- 
tain the  truths  we  love,  and  with  ardent 
prayer  for  his  blessing,  we  remain 
yours  to  serve,  with  such  as  we  have, 
THE  EDITOR. 

The  Editor  who  wrote  the  above  was, 
as  you  know,  the  late  Rev.  J.  Y.  De- 
Baun  who  continued  the  only  editor  for 
eleven  years.  In  1877  Brother  DeBaun 
relinquished  the  control  of  the  Banner 
to  the  Classis,  and  since  it  has  been 
published  under  the  auspices  of  the  Pub- 
lication Comittee  of  the  Classis  of  Hac- 
kensack. 

Since  our  union  with  the  Western 
branch  of  the  Church  there  has  arisen 
a  growing  needs  for  English  literature. 
Some  brethren  suggested  that  the  times 
demanded  a  larger  publication,  more 
frequently  issued,  and  to  embrace  more 
departments  of  Church  work. 

By  a  resolution  of  the  last  session  of 
the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  it  was  deci- 
ded that  the  Publication  Committee  be 
empowered  to  assign  the  financial  and 
others  interests  of  the  Banner  of  Truth 
to  a  stock  company,  if  such  company 
was  formed,  with  the  previso  that  our 
Church  news  should  be  published  and 
that  the  present  subscribers  be  protec- 
ted. As  such  a  company  has  been  or- 
ganized by  some  brethren  of  the 
Churches  both  East  and  West,  the  Ban- 
ner will  therefore  be  under  a  new  man- 
agement in  the  future.  Beginning  with 
January  1904  the  Banner  will  be  issued 
semi-monthly  and  changed  somewhat  in 
appearance.     But  as    a    new    apparel 


does  not  change  the  character  of  the 
person,  so  we  believe  that  the  Banner 
clothed  in  a  more  beautiful  dress  will  not 
change  the  character  of  its  teachings^ 
The  Banner  will  continue  to  be  strictly 
Calvinistic  and  in  entire  agreement 
with  the  doctrinal  standards  of  our 
church.  Hitherto  the  Banner  volume 
began  each  year  with  the  July  number, 
but  it  is  the  intention  of  the  new  com- 
pany to  begin  a  new  series  with  the 
January  number  and  make  the  Banner 
year  begin  and  end  with  the  Calendar 
year.  The  subscription  price  for  the 
semi-monthly  will  be  one  dollar  per 
year  in  advance.  But  the  Publication 
Committee  would  call  the  attention  of 
the  readers  of  the  Banner  to  the  follow- 
ing proposal  of  the  new  management, 
viz.  the  present  subscribers  of  the  Ban- 
ner, by  forwarding  50c  to  the  treasurer 
of  the  Banner  of  Truth,  can  have  it 
sent  to  them  to  the  close  of  the  year 
1904.  The  new  management  are  all 
interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  Chris- 
tian Reformed  Church  and  we  hope 
their  efforts  to  make  the  Banner  more 
useful  and  attractive  will  be  approved 
by  the  subscribers.  It  is  the  desire  of 
the  undersigned  that  the  friends  of  the 
Church  both  East  and  West  will  use 
their  influence  to  make  the  new  under- 
taking a  success,  and  with  God's  bles- 
sing may  it  be  helpful  in  spreading  the 
truth  far  and  wide. 

Finally  we  would  ask  all  subscribers 
who  are  in  arrears  to  forward  their 
subscriptions  at  once  so  that  we  can 
give  as  complete  a  report  as  possible 
to  the  new  treasurer  which  we  want  to 
do  about  Dec.  15th.  The  name  of  the 
new  treasurer  will  be  given  in  the  next 
issue.  J.  C.  Voorhis, 

S.  I.   Vanderbeek, 
J.  A.  Westervelt. 


00 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH, 


A  Brief  History  of  the  Psalmody. 

Continued  from  page  87. 

Oal  '-for  the  clink  of  Rhyme."  The  Psalms 
of  Cotton  Mather  were  in  common  meter. 
Some  however  were  so  arranged  that  Long 
Meter  tunes  could  be  sung  to  them.  This 
was  done  very  ingenuously  by  the 
insertion  of  two  syllables  in  black  letters 
n  the  second  and  fourth  lines.  Here  is  a 
sample  of  this- 

Psalm  CXVI. 

"!'  am  full  of  Love:  It  is  because 

[Of  this]  that  the  Eternal  God 
Hath  hearkened  now  unto  my  voice 

[And  hath]  my  supplications  heard. 
Because  that  he  hath  unto  me 

[Kindly]  inclined  his  gracious  ear, 
Therefore  upon  him  will  I  call 

While  I  have  days  [of  life.]" 

But  Mather's  version,  however  valuable 
in  some  respects,  did  not  find  favor  with 
the  churches.  Certainly  not  on  account 
of  its  literalness.  But  perhaps  partly  be- 
c.iuse  of  its  intricate  arrangement.  Above 
all  because  it  was  published  without  music. 

It  seems  that  soon  after    this  craving  for 
as  literal  a  rendering  as  possible,  a  reaction 
set  in   among    the    New     England  church 
people.     A  very  easily  understood  reaction 
From  one  extreme    they    fell  into  another. 
The  Psalms    as    versified    by   Isaac  Watts 
(Banner,    p.    69)    because  the     rage  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century.     The 
General     Congregational     Association     of 
Connecticut  requested    the    poet  Barlow  to 
revise  these  Psalms.     In  1785  the  improved 
edition  was  published.     Some   Psalms,  not 
versified    by    Watts,    were     added.     This 
edition  was  largely  adopted  in  New  England 
and  its  use  was  also    allowed  by  the  Synod 
of  the  Presbyterian    Church  of  1787.     Soon 
after,  the    Association    mentioned     above 
requested  Dr.    Timothy    Dwight  to  revise 
the    Psalms      of     Watts    once    more.     He 
began  the  work    about  1797  and  succeeded 
in  producing    a  version    adopted  not  alone 
by  the    Congregationalists  but  also  by  the 
General    Assembly   of    the    Presbyterians, 
(1802).     Dr.    Dwight     had    added     to     his 
Psalms  a  number    of  hymns  selected  from 
various  authors.     These  were  alio  adopted. 
And  they  proved  to    be  something  like  the 
Trojan  Horse  of    ancient    history.     Slowly 


but  surely  the  hymns,  once  introduced,  be' 
gan  to  crowd  out  the  old  Psalms.  The 
Psalms  were  not  near  as  "elegant  '  and 
'"evangelical"  as  tiie  hymns,  and  conse- 
quently were  sung  less  and  less.  Different 
attempts  were  made  to  produce  really 
poetic  renderings  of  the  songs  of  David. 
Some,  notably  the  versifications  of  Prof. 
Abner  Jones,  were  really  meritorious  pro- 
ductions. But  the  fight  for  Psalmody  Was 
a  loosing  fight.  At  present  the  Congrega- 
tional Churches  of  the  United  States  are 
hymnsinging  churches  iu  the  commonly 
accepted  meaning  of  that  phrase.  Only  a 
very  few  renderings  of  certain  Psalms  are 
found  among  the  many  hundreds  of  hymns 
used  by  them. 

The  same  can  be  said  of  the  Baptist  de- 
dominations  of  our  land.  A  slow  transition 
from  Psalmody  to  Hymnody.  The  various 
Methodist  churches  in  the  United  Slates 
were  hymnsinging  nearly  from  the  begin- 
ning.The  influence  of  theWesleys  and  their 
poetical  gifts  was  largely  the  cause  ol  tiiis. 

The  history  of    Psalmody  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  America — often  called  the 
Northern    Presb     Church    is   largely  like 
that  of  the    Congregational    denomination. 
Also  a  slow  but  certain  change  from  Psalms 
to      hymns.     During    the  colonial    period 
the       various     congregations      composing 
the      Presbyterian       Church,      used      the 
Psalms.     Some  sang  Rous,  some  Sternhold 
and  Hopkins,     some    the    New    Version  of 
Tate  and    Brady,    a    considerable    number 
used  the  Bay  Psalmbook — a  wide  diversity 
but  all  were  Psalmsinging  churches.    After 
the  American  Revolution  a  change   set  in. 
The  younger  element,    with    more    refined 
notions  of   poetry  and  music,  began  to    be 
dissatisfied     with     the      current    versions. 
Soon  the  dissatisfaction  developed  into  dis- 
like.    Now,  if  the   church    authorities  had 
only  tried  to  prepare    a  better    version    at 
this  juncture.     But  no,  conservatism  of     a 
wrong  nature  kept     them  from    doing    so. 
The  inevitable  result  was  that  a  number  of 
progressive  sessions  in  the  largest  congrega- 
tions took  the  matter  in  their    o^vn    hand, 
and  without   seeking    the   approbation    of 
the  highest    churchcourts,  the     version    of 
Watts  was  introduced      Manv  a  bitter  and 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


91 


unseemly  fight  now  took  place  in  several 
churches  between  the  conservatives  and 
progressives.  Hut  slowly  and  surely  the 
newer  version  became  victorious  In  1802 
permission  were  granted  by  the  assembly 
to  use  the  revised  version  of  Dr  Watts' 
Psalms  as  prepared  by  Dr.  Dvvight  With 
these  Psalms  the  263  hymns  attached  by 
Dr.  Dwight  also  found  admittance.  Their 
use  was  "allowed  in  such  congregations 
as  may  think  it  expedient  to  use  them  in 
public  and  social  worship."  For  over  half 
a  century  the  book  of  Psalms,  now  occupied 
a  place  of  equality  with  the  uninspired 
hymns.  But  Psalms  were  sung  less  and  less, 
hymns  were  given  out  more  and  more. 
Then  the  Psalms  were  deprived  of  their 
distinctive  place  in  the  Pesbyterian  book 
of  praise.  Wh^n,  in  1874  Dr,  Duryea's 
hymnal  was  sanctioned  by  the  General 
Assembly  there  were  a  number  of  Psalms 
in  it  — it  is  true  But  mixed  up  with 
the  972  "sacred  songs"  it  contained  and 
all  called  hymns.  This  is  still  the  case 
with  various  "Hymnaries"  and  "Hymnals" 
employed  by  this  important  body  of  chur- 
ches. It  is  to  ail  intents  and  in  every  way 
a  hymn  singing  denomination. 

The  same  story  is  virtually  that  of  the 
Dutch  Reformed  Church  of  America.  Before 
the  Revolution,  the  Holland  Psalms  of 
Dathenus  and,  to  a  limited  extent,  the  new- 
version  of  1774  (Banner,  p  58)  vras  used. 
After  the  Revolution  hymns  found  en- 
trance. Their  introduction  must  largely 
be  laid  to  the  charge  of  the  well  known  Dr. 
J.  H.  Livingstone  often  called  the  "father" 
of  the  Dutch  Church.  To  quote  from  a 
"Brief  notice,"  written  by  Dr.  Stron*: 
Stated  Clerk  of  Synod,  prefixed  to  the 
^'' Psalms  and  Hymns"  of  1847:  "After  the 
period  of  the  American  Revolution,  when 
it  was  found  necessary  to  introduce  English 
singing,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Livingstone  compiled 
a  book  of  Psalms  and  Hymns  in  the  English 
language,  which  was  published  with  the 
express  approbjitiyn  and  recommendation 
of  the  vxeneral  Synod,  in  the  year  1780. 
This  boi)k  continued  in  use  in  the  churches 
until  1812  when  ..Synod  ...  requested 
the  Ref.  Prof.  Livingstone  to  make  the 
selection  of  Psalms  and  Hymns  agreeable 
to  the  views  then  expressed,  and  appointed 


a  committee  to  whom  the  same  should  be 
submitted  for  their  examination  and  ap- 
proval. At  the  session  of  the  Synod,  held 
in  October  1813,  this  committee  reported 
in  favour  of  the  selection,  and  the  Synod 
accordingly  adopted  it....  In  the  year 
1830  the  General  Synod  deemed  it  expedient 
that  an  additional  number  of  hymns  should 
be  added  to  those  contained  in  the  book 
then  in  use.  and  accordingly  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  make  a  selection,  on  a 
variety  of  subjects,  with  the  view  to  consti- 
tute a  second  book  of  hymns.  At  the  next 
session  of  the  Synod,  this  committee  report- 
ed a  selection  of  172  additional  hymns, 
which  were  approved,  ordered  to  be  pu- 
blished as  a  second  book  of  hymns  and 
authorized  to  be  used  in  all  the  churches.'' 
Soon  after  this  (IS-iS)  a  "Social  and  Sab- 
bath School  Hymn  booiv"  was  approved  by 
the  Synod.  In  1847  a  new  volume  of 
'^ Psalms  and  Hymns,'"  from  whose  preface 
we  Just  quoted,  was  issued  by  authority  of 
Synod.  In  this  book  the  Psalier  still  re- 
tains its  place  of  honor  in  the  first  part  of 
the  book.  But  —  o  sign  of  the  tendency! 
—  no  less  than  7S8  hymns  are  found  in  the 
same  volume!  Since  then,  the  Psalter 
has  lost  even  this  place  and,  as  in  the  ether 
churches  we  mentioned,  a  few  Psalms  are 
found  scattered  in  the  various  "Hymnaries 
of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church.  The  Hol- 
land speaking  part  of  it  alone  forms  an 
exception,  since  it  still  uses  nothing  but 
Psalms  in  its  regular  worship.  But  in 
meetings  of  the  Young  People  the  "Gospel 
Hymns"  and  other  books  of  Songs  are  used 
nearly  exclusively.  Soon,  Psalmsinging  in 
this  Church  will  be  a  thing  of  the  past! 
The  history  of  Psalmody  in  the  Presb. 
Church  in  the  U.  S.  (the  Southern  Presb. 
Church)  is  very  much  like  that  of  precee- 
ding  ones.  \\\  1861,  soon  after  its  secession 
the  Northern  Church,  the  General  Assem- 
bly appointed  a  committee  "to  revise  and 
prepare  for  use  of  our  Church  a  suitable 
Hymnbook".  The  work  of  this  com.  was  ap- 
proved in  1866  and  published  as  the"Psalms 
and  Hymns."  Two  other  Books  were  com- 
mended later  viz  "Psalms  and  Hymns  and 
Spiritual  Songs"  and  "Hymns  of  the  Ages" 
In  1898  the  General  Assembly  appointed 
another  committee  to  prepare  "a  Hymn- 
book  that  will    meet    the    demands  of    our 


92 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


Church,  the  product  of  her  own  life  and 
effort."  As  a  result  "The  new  Psalms  and 
Hvmns"  appeared  in  1901.  Its  title  is 
somewhat  misleading  however.  The  Psalms 
do  not  ojcupy  the  place  of  honor  in|it  whish 
the  title  would  lead  us  to  expect.  There  are 
about  100  selections  of  64  Psalms  in  this 
volume,  most  of  these  are  of  Watts.  And 
they  are  incorporated  as  hyms  among  its 
715  hymns  in  the  book.  Were  it  not  for 
an  "Index  of  Psalms"  in  the  front  it  would 
be  quiie  diificult  to  see  why  the  book 
shoull  ihcorporate  the  name  "Psalms"  in 
its  tiUp  at  ail 

Batter  by  far  away  in  this  respect  is 
^''  The  Presbyterian  Book  ef  Praise'^  of  the 
Canada  Presbyterian  Church.  That  mij^ht 
very  justly  preserve  the  historic  title 
"Psalms  and  Hymns"  because  it  still  re- 
tains the  Psalms  in  their  place  of  honor, 
se  mrate  and  in  front.  Before  1881  the 
Canadian  Church  made  use  of  all  manners 
of  Psalters  and  Hymnals  —  about  15  dif- 
ferent kinds  in  all.  Some  congregations 
ussd  Rous,  others  the  Scottish  Paraphrases 
and  Hymns;  some  the  (Scotch)  United 
Presbyterian  Hymnal  etc.  etc.  Realizing 
the  unsatisfactory  nature  of  this  multi- 
formity, steps  veere  taken  to  prepare  a 
nevT  b')ok.  As  a  result  "  The  Pres.  Book  of 
P  aise"  already  mentioned,  was  published 
in  1897.  It  consists  of  two  parts.  The 
first  contains  121  selections  from  the  Psal- 
ter, the  second  part  numbers  609  hymns. 
This  volume  seems  to  be  an  excellent  one 
in  many  respects  and  we  do  not  wonder 
that  it  is  fast  coming  into  universal  use  in 
the  Canadian  Church. 


We  have  seen  so  far  how  nearly  all 
American  Churches  are  largely  or  nearly 
exclusively  hymnsinging  denominations. 
We  are  glad  to  state  however  that  there 
is  an  encouraging  number  of  exceptions. 
These  exceptions  are  formed  by  the  so- 
called  Presbyterian  "Seceder  Churches'' 
of  our  land.  In  fact,  they  use  the  Psalter 
exclusively  in  their  public  worship.  Who 
are  those  denominations?  They  are  the 
Reformed  Presbyterian  Churches  (Synod 
and  General  Synod)  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Synod  of  the  South,  the  Associate 
Church  and  the  United  Presbjterian 
Church,     As    the    people    forming    there 


denominations    are    largely  of  Scotch  de- 
scent, Scotch    Psalmody    has    been    their 
from  the  beginning.     Many    of  them  con 
sider  it  sinful  to  use  anything  but  Psalms 
in  public  worship.     Their    highest  church 
courts  not  only  excluded    all    hymns    but 
also  the  paraphrases    or  rhymed   portions 
of  a  few    scripture  passages   appended  to 
many  Psalters    since  the    days  of  Calvin. 
And  by    legislation   and     discipline     they 
have  zealously     procured  uniformity  and 
prevented    innovation    in    the     matter  of 
Psalmsinging.  The  Reformed  Presbyterian 
and  Associate  Churches  to  the  present  day 
use  Rous  and  nothing  beside.    The  United 
Presbyterian  denomination, formed  in  185S, 
at  first  used  Rous   likewise.     But    in  1873, 
after    years  of  labor    and  overturning,    a 
revised  edition  of  the    old  book  was  pub- 
lished   and     introduced.     Added    to    this 
were  many    new    renderings  of    the  most 
important  psalms.     The    poetic    and  mu- 
sical value    of  this  work  were  considered 
very  satisfactory.     However,    the   issue  of 
1872  did  not  continue  in  use  very  long.   In 
1884  the    General   Assembly   directed    the 
Board  of  Publication    to  have  the  Psalter 
revised    once  more.     A    committee    com- 
posed of  Dr.  W.  J.  Robinson,  D.  D.,  D.  S. 
Thompson,    Jas.     W.  Collins,    R  S.  Robb 
and  John    White    succeeded,    after  much 
labor,  in  publishing  a  new  version  in  1887. 
It  contained  very  many  second    and  a  few 
third  versions.    Some  of  these  are  decided- 
ly, even    very  decidedly,    better,  than  the 
old  renderings  placed  alongside    of  them- 
Four  hundred    different    tunes,    many  of 
them    very    excellent,     accompany      the 
Psalms.     On    some   pages    two  tunes  are 
found.     The  book  proves  to  be  very  satis- 
factory.   There  are  however  two  features 
of  the  volume    which  call  loudly  for    im- 
provement.    The  one   is  the  presence  of  a 
number  of  old  renderings  which  are  clearly 
antiquated,  and  sometimes  very  unpoetic- 
al,  yea,    suggestive    of    doggerel     They 
were  retained    principally    to    please  the 
older    generations    of    church     members 
wedded  to  the  older  versions.   This  mediat- 
ing policy  it  seems    to  us,   ought  to  come 
to  a  close   as  unsatisfactory    to  both  sides. 
The  second  feature    requiring  emendation 
is,  it  seoms  to  us.  elimination  of  all  second 
and  certainly    all  third    versioni.     This  is 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRIJTH, 


fi3 


often  times  bewildering  to  the  novice  who 
uses  the  b.-)ok,  It  createa  uncertainty  in 
the  mind  as  to  what  is  really  the  meaning 
of  certain  phrases  of  these  psalms.  And  it 
prevents  memorizing,  so  desirable  for 
young  and  old. 

It  was  this  new  U.  P.  Psalter,  then  still 
in  process  of  publication,  which  Oct.  1888, 
was  formally  adopted  by  resolution  of  the 
Classis  of  Hackensack  —  dow  part  of  the 
Christian  Reformed  Church  —  as  the  Book 
of  Praise  of  the  True  Reformed  Protestant 
Dutch  Church.  This  Classis,  Oct.  1884, 
"in  view  of  the  deficiency  of  books  and 
defectiveness  of  our  Psalmody"';  had  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  submit  a  plan  for 
a  new  Psalter.  The  committee  consisted 
of  Revs  J.  Y.  De  Baun  G.  A.  Haring  and 
Jl.  Van  Houten.  At  the  session  of  Oct. 
1886  the  committee  was  ready  to  report. 
It  bad  chosen  the  U-  P  Psalter  "after 
careful  examination  and  comparison"  of 
other  versions.  Its  report  met  with  uni- 
versal approbation.  The  Revs.  S.  I.  Van 
der  Beek,  J.  C.  Voorhis  and  J.  A.  Wester- 
velt  were  added  to  the  committee  which 
was  authorized  to  have  2000  copies  print- 
ed. Finally,  at  the  session  of  Oct.  1887 
this  committee  reported  that  "the  new 
Psalm  and  Hymnbook"  was  completed  and 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  stated  clerk, 
who  by  that  time  had  sold  over  700  vol- 
umes. The  committee  therefore  had 
accomplished  at  last  what  had  been  en- 
trusted to  a  similar  body  appointed  as  far 
back  as  1826,  but  which  had  failed  to  do 
its  duty  through  various  reasons.  During 
all  the  intervening  years  the  True  Dutch 
Church  of  necessity  had  made  use  of  the 
Psalter  ofLivingston  and  his  first  selection 
of  hymns,  mentioned  above  The  commit- 
tee whose  work  was  accepted  finally  had 
also  selected  and  "rearranged"  fifty  two 
hymns,  in  several  parts,  to  suit  the  52 
Lord's  Days  of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism. 
They  were  added  as  an  appendix,  partly 
because  the  people,  so  accustomed  to  sing- 
ing some  hymns,  would  have  been  very 
loathe  to  do  without  them  altogether.  But 
partly,  and  we  hope  principally,  because 
acknowledgement  was  taken  of  the  very 
evident  fact  that  many  earnest  children  of 
the  Lord  have  a  craving  after  at  least  a 
few  sacred  songs  in  which    ihe  Savior,  his 


work,  his  benefits,  the  Triune  God,  the 
Church  and  its  Sacraments,  could  be  men- 
tioned in  plain  New  Testament  phrase. 
As  such,  we  believe,  our  .'52  hymns  really 
fill  a  gap.  And  they  have  been  used  and 
are  used  to  the  present  day  by  all  our 
English  speaking  churches  with  a  good 
deal  of  edification.  This  is  the  case  the 
more  because  the  hymns  which  have  been 
selected  are  strictly  orthodox,  are  in  the 
main  quite  poetical  and  have  the  right 
ring  to  them.  However,  wethinkanum' 
ber  of  them  could  be  s'afely  left  out  with- 
out doing  real  harm  either  to  the  com- 
pleteness of  the  selection,  or  to  its  poetical 
excellence.  And  God  forbid  that  our 
hymns  should  ever  become  anything  more 
in  our  Church  than  an  "appendix  " 


Michigan  Notes. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Brink  has  declined  the  call 
extented  to  him  by  the  Board  of  Heathen 
Missions,  to  be  missionary  among  the  Zu- 
ni  Indians 

Rev.  W.  D.  Van  der  Werp  of  the  bMfth 
Ave.  Ghr.  Refd.  Church,  Grand  Rapids, 
Mich,  has  been  troubled  of  late  by  "cler- 
gyman's sore  throat"  in  aggrevated  form 
so  that  he  was  unable  to  preach  for  two 
or  three  sabbaths.  We  are  glad  to  know 
however  he  is  recovering  and  could  ad- 
minister the  Word  again  during  one  ser- 
vice, on  Nov.  23. 

The  Oakdale  Park  congregation,  Grand 
Rapids,  was  shocked  on  Nov.  15  by  the 
announcement  that  its  pastor.  Rev,  H.  M- 
Van  der  Ploeg,  had  accepted  the  call  ex 
tended  to  him  the  second  time  by  the 
church  of  Lafayette  Ind.  Dec.  C  bro  van 
der  Ploeg  will  deliver  his  farewell  sermon. 
The  next  sabbath, Dec.  13,  he  expects  to  be 
installed  in  his  new  charge.  We  understand 
Rev.  Henry  Beets  his  brother-in  law  will 
cotjduct  the  installation  service  and  preach 
the  sermon.  We  are  very  sorry  to  see  the 
brother  leave  the  Grand   Rapids    church 

Rev.  J.  Groen  declining  the  call  of  the 
Central  ave.  Church,  Holland.  Mich,  the 
Rev.  L.  Veltkamp  has  been  chosen  to 
assume  the  pastorate  of  this  large  congre- 
gation. 

We  notice  in     'De    Wachter"  <  hat  Miss 


94 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


Nellie  Noordhoff,  our  missionary  teacher 
in  the  new  mission  station  Rehoboth,  near 
Gallup,  N.  M.  is  endeavoring  to  get  a  num- 
ber of  Indian  boys  and  girls,  to  start  a 
little  boarding  school.  This  certainly  is  a 
very  good  move.  Something  very  neces- 
sary. The  children  we  reach  in  the  govern- 
ment boardingschcols  come  and  go.  It  is 
a  floating  population.  And  we  cannot 
indoctrinate  them  as  much  as  we  would 
like.  The  government  could  not  allow 
such.  To  have  schools  of  our  own  is  high- 
ly de=iirable  therefore.  And  will  certainly 
prove  a  success,  with  the  blessing  of  the 
Lord.  Other  denominations  have  reaped 
good  harvests  of  such  efforts.  Of  course, 
to  run  a  boardingschool  is  a  costly  affair 
We  understand  the  expense  will  be  borne 
largely  if  not  wholly,  by  different  Sabbath 
schools.  This  latter  will  certainly  create 
a  good  deal  of  enthusiasm  among  the 
youth  of  these  schools. 

Mrs.  Rev.  H.  Fryling  of  Fort  Defiance, 
Ariz,  has  been  ill  with  a  severe  attack  of 
typhoid  fever.  We  do  hope  and  pray  she 
will  recover 

At  the  last  meeting  of  the  Classis  of 
Grand  Rapids.  West,  it  was  decided  to 
cooperate  with  the  classis  of  Grand  Rapids 
East  to  call  a  home  missionary  for  Grand 
Rapids  and  environs,  to  labor  among  the 
neglected  and  churchless  people  which 
cannot  be  reached  by  the  regular  minis- 
try. Many  a  door  seem  to  be  open  to  our 
denomination.  May  the  proper  man  be 
chosen  soon  and  the  precious  and  neces- 
sary work  prospered. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Classis  Grand 
Rapids  West  it  was  decided  also  to  start 
a  movement  to  petition  the  town  authori- 
ties to  enforce  the  Sunday  laws  of  the 
city  in  a  better  manner.  Sabbath  desecra- 
tion is  constantly  growing  in  Grand  iiapids. 
Formerly  no  theater  nor  saloon  was  open 
on  Sabbath.  Now  several  playhouses  per- 
form regularly  on  Sunday  and  it  is  said 
saloons  do  a  tlitiviiig  business  on  (bat 
day.  May  the  committee  be  zealous  and 
sucessful. 

There  is  room  for  improvement  of  Grand 
Rapids  morals.  A  few  days  ago  the  for- 
mer mayor  and  some  15  or  16  alderman 
were  arrested    and    brought    into    court, 


charged  with  accepting  bribes,  ranging 
from  $2,500  to  $3000.  The  charges  seem 
to  be  pretty  well  founded. 

Melie  Stoke,  Jr: 


The  Illogical    Character 
Christian  Science. 


of 


Christian  Science  demands  of  the  sub- 
j\-ct  to  believe  there  is  no  such  thing  as 
material  existence  or  substance  and  hold  that 
it  is  only  a  fiction,  the  result  of  imagina- 
tion. We  would  naturally  suppose  this 
was  too  gross  to  be  embraced  by  any,  of 
•ven  moderate  intelligence.  But  when 
we  view  the  error  or  illusion  in  its  vari- 
ous inroads  it  makes  upon  the  articles  of 
our  Catholic  Christian  faith,  the  sufferings 
of  Jesus  was  only  mental,  he  did  not  suf- 
fer in  body  and  soul,  it  converts  the  solemn 
tragic  events  of  Gethsemane  and  Calvary 
into  a  phantasm.  When  Jesus  after  his 
resurrection  saw  his  bewildered  disciples 
filled  with  scepticism  and  unbelief,  he 
said,  (Luke  24  :  39.)  "Behold  my  hands 
and  my  feet;  that  it  is  I  myself,  handle 
me  and  see;  for  a  spirit  hath  not  flesh  and 
bones,  as  ye  see  me  have." 

Those  who  believe  in  this  new  cult,  hold 
that  Mrs.  Eddy  is  as  much  inspired  in 
writing  her  Science  and  Health,  as  was 
Mathew,  Paul,  and  the  Prophets,  and 
that  with  the  close  of  Bible  revelation, 
inspiration  and  miracles  have  not  ceased. 
This  explains  why  that  in  a  Christian 
Science  Church  the  sayings  of  John, 
Matthew  and  Christ  are  on  one  side  of  the 
church  and  the  sayings  of  Mrs.  Eddy  are 
on  the  other  side  of  the  church  It  is  held 
that  if  Mrs.  Eddy's  teaching  was  fully 
embraced,  the  vast  everyday  mortality 
would  not  be,  and  the  text  '  it  is  appointed 
unto  man  once  to  die.  and  after  death  the 
judgment",  would  be  proven  fa^se.  If 
the  apostle  Paul  had  been  taught  by  Mrs. 
Eady,  be  would  not  have  needed  to  pray 
thrice  that  the  affliction  might  be  removed 
for  under  her  treatment  his  thorn  in  the 
flesh  would  have  disappeared.  Is  not  this 
a  presumption  bordering  on  the  profane  ? 
Who  is  Mrs.  Eddy,  that  is  so  venerated 
that  many  will  walk  miles  to  even  catch  a 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH 


7^ 


St  James  Version  and  the  Revised 
Version, the  titles  are  correctly  given. 
While  it  is  not  so  essential,  yet  we 
ought  to  study  to  be  correct  in  our 
division  of  scripture. 

>      -f      > 

What  Shall  The  Harvest  be? 

The  subject  for    this    evening  is.    What 
shall  the  harvest  be?    It  is  in  the  form  of  a 
question,    and     for     its  correct     solution, 
I  shall    refer   you    to    the  infallible  Word 
of  God.  Harvest,  literally  with  the  husband 
man,  is    a  gathering  or  ingathering  of  the 
fruit  of  the  field    and    is    always  a  joyous 
season   especially  so,  if  the  crops  are  abund- 
ant.    But    in  the  sense  in  which  this  ques- 
tion comes    to  us  tonight    "What  shall  the 
harvest  be?    Well,    it  will  be    according  to 
the    seed  sown.     ]Sow  there     cannot  be    a 
harvest  time  without  a  preceding  seedtime. 
"Whatsoever    a      man     soweth    that  shall 
he  also  reap".     Like  produces  like.     "Men 
do  not  gather  grapes   of   thorns  nor  figs  of 
thistles",     But  to  be  more  explicit.     All  of 
our  life  time  is  a    sowing  time — every  day, 
every  hour,  every  sabbath,  every  appointed 
means  of  grace,  including  the  Prayer  meet- 
ing, yes,  the  much  neglected  Prayer  Meet- 
ing.    Sowing  and  reaping  is  like  cause  and 
effect.     I  know  we  cannot  effect  our  souls 
salvation,  but  we  can  be  found    where  God 
appoints  to  hear.Are  there  those, (and  there 
are,)  who  persistently     absent  themselves 
from  the    House    of   God?    Do    you  know 
what  the  effect  of  that  will  be?      "He  that 
wandereth  out  of  the  way  of  understanding 
shall  remain  in    the  congregation     of    the 
dead".     A  dreadful     harvest  indeed.     Are 
there  those    (May    I    hope    they     are    not 
within  the  hearing  of  my  voice)  who  bestow 
more  time  and    care  looking  in  the  mirror 
than  in  the  Bible?  "He  that  soweth    to  the 
flesh,  shall  of  the  flesh  reap  corruption,  but 


he  that  soweth    to  the  Spirit   shall   of  th*? 
Spirit  reap  life  everlasting".     1  have  in  my 
mind  a  young  man  whom  I    knew    well  in 
his  life  time,    who,     when    he  was  grown, 
formed    dissolute    associations,  contracted 
consumption  and  died,  unrepentant,  whos? 
frantic  cries  to  his   mother    in    the  death 
hour  were  heart    rending  in    the  extreme. 
Very  sad  to  comtemplate    but   the  harvest 
must  be  according  to  the  sowing.     Such  an 
end  naturally    follows  such    a    life.     Now 
with  regard    to  keeping    the  Sabbath,     tis 
true    we    are    unable  to  keep    any  of  the 
commandments  perfectly,  but  if  we  are  in 
our  right  minds  it  will  be  our  sincere  desire 
and  constant    strife    to  do  so,  and  our  ina- 
bility will    be    our  sorrow.     Let  me  quote 
to  you  from  the  58th  chapter  of  Isaiah.  "If 
thou  turn  away  the  foot  from  the  sabbath, 
from  doing    thy  pleasure  on    my  holy  day, 
and  call  the  Sabbath  a  delight,    the  holy  of 
the  Lord,  honorable,  and  shalt  honor  Him, 
not  doing  thine  own  ways,  nor  finding  thine 
own    pleasure,    nor    speaking    thine     own 
words.       Then    shalt  thou    delight    thyself 
in  the  Lord;  and  I    will  cause   thee  to  ride 
upon  the  high  places  of  the  earth,  and  feed 
thee  with  the  heritage  of  Jacob  ihy  father, 
for  the  mouth  ot  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it." 
A  blessed  sowingp,    a  glorious  harvest.     We 
may  learn  that  a  sowing  time  is  a  time  of 
activity.     The    sower    went  forth  to   sow. 
He  didn't  sit  in    the  house  to  ;do  it.     The 
injunction  of  the  Apostle  is.    "Be  watchful 
be  vigilant."     Gospel    preachers  especially 
are  sowers,  and  their  time  and  strength  are 
spent  in  the   work.     But    how  often   must 
they  complain    "Master    we  have  toiled  all 
night  and  have  taken  nothing".     But  such 
sowing  must  receive    the  fructifying  influ- 
ence of  the  Holy  Spirit  or  there   will  be  no 
increase      For  all    of  us  there     is  a  proper 
way  to  sow  to  insure  the  harvest.     Tostart 
right  we  should  not  go  out  into  the  business 
of  the  day  whether    sabbath  or  week  with- 


T4 


THE   BANNER  OF  TkUTH 


out  first  going  on  our  knees  and  thanking 
€Jod  for  his  kind  preserving  care  over  us 
through  the  past  night  and  begging 
His  guidance  and  Jprotection  throughout 
the  day.  I  must  here  say  I  know  of  signal 
answers  to  such  petitions.  The  harvest  of 
iouls  began  at  the  Creation  and  has  contin- 
ued and  inceased  until  the  present  when 
fch«  grim  reaper  Death  is  daily,  hourly 
gathering  his  thousands.  Some  to  everlast- 
ing happiness  and  many  to  shame  and  ever- 
lasting contempt,  and  when  these  heavens 
are  rolled  together  as  a  scroll  and  the  ele- 
ments melt  with  fervent  heat,  then  the 
harvest  is  the  end  of  the  world  and  the 
reapers  are  the  angels,  and  it  shall  be 
proven  that  whatsoever  a  man  soweth  that 
shall  he  also  reap. 

L.   J.  B. 


The  Gospel. 

The  Gospel  ministry,  is  the  most  im- 
portant and  responsible  oflSce  to  which 
men  can  be  chosen  in  life.  It  is  of  more  im- 
portance and  its  responsibility  and  obliga- 
tions greater  than  the  President  of  the 
United  States.  What  can  be,  or  what  is 
there  here  upon  this  Earth  that  is  of  more 
importance  to  mankind  than  the  preached 
Gospel?  The  Gospel  of  Christ,  that  teach- 
es us  the  duties  and  obligations  we  owe  to 
God,  to  ourselves,  and  oar  fellow  man. 
Nothing  but  the  Gospel  of  Christ  can 
direct  us  with  unerring  certainty  to  the 
rewards  in  life,  and  punishment  in  a  day 
of  judgement.  What  a  great  blessing  that 
the  Bible  has  been  given  to  u«  as  a  lamp 
to  our  feet  and  a  light  in  our  pathway 
while  passing  through  the  darkness  of  this 
world,  and  that  we  have  the  Gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ  preached  to  us.  Although 
many  have  received  the  Gospel  by  faith, 
and  accepted  it  as  the  man  of  their    coun- 


sel, others  have  rejected  the  calls  and 
wooings  of  mercy,  and  have  become  more 
hardened  in  sin,  and  by  their  continued 
neglect  of  the  preached  Gospel,  have  trea* 
suredupunto  themselves  wrath  against 
the  day  of  wrath.  It  may  be  asked  what 
is  the  Gospel?  It  is  a  rerelation  of  mercy 
to  sinfull  dying  man.  It  is  a  gra- 
cious declaration  from  Heaven,  of 
salvation  from  the  wrath  which  is 
to  come.  The  Gospel  is  expressive  of 
the  way  in  which  the  door  oi  mercy  is 
opened  to  the  guilty  sinner.  God  in  his 
infinite  goodness,  longsuffering.  mercy  and 
forbearance,  has  made  known  to  fallen 
mankind,  .this  plan  of  Salvation  in  which 
Jesus  Christ  his  only  begotten  son  is  reveal- 
ed to  us  in  the  Gospel  as  the  way.  the 
truth  and  the  life.  Had  not  Christ 
appeared  in  this  sinful  world  in  the  form 
of  a  servant  (he  who  knew  no  sin)  substitu- 
ted himself  in  the  guilty  sinner's  place,  to 
suffer,  bleed  and  die  the  ignominious  death 
upon  the  Cross,  had  he  not  risen  triump- 
hant from  the  grave  and  ascended  into 
Heaven,  fallen  man  would  have  lived 
and  died  in  dispair  without  hope.  But 
Christ  having  made  the  atonement  for  sin 
and  brought  in  an  everlasting  righteous- 
ness, which  was  acceptable  to  God  the 
Father.commissioned  his  Apostles  to  preach 
the  Doctrines  of  the  Cross,  and  to  warn 
sinners  of  their  lost  estate  and  condition 
by  nature,  and  exhort^  them  to  believe  in 
him  and  repent  of  their  sins.  And  we  learn 
that  the  Apostles  went  forth  in  the  autho- 
rity of  their  Divine  Master,  and  boldly  and 
faithfuly  preached  Christ  and  him  crucified 
to  a  World  lying  in  wickedness.  And  from 
Scripture  we  learn,  the  Apostles  not  only 
taught  the  evil  nature  of  sin,  and  opened 
the  great  mysteries  of  redemption.  But 
they  also  preached  in  a  clear  convincing 
manner,  the  everlasting  torments  of  the 
impenitent.       —        A     doctrine    hard     for 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


75 


for  many  to  receive  in  this  day 
—  and  the  unspeiikablc  glories  and 
blessfdncvss  reserved  in  heaven  for  the 
Children  of  God.  They  where  not  afraid 
to  speak  of  the  enmiry  and  deep  rooted 
depravity  of  the  human  Heart,  and  the 
absolute  necessity  of  theHoly  Spirit's  influ- 
ence, to  eradicate  that  deep  rooted  enmity 
of  sin  They  not  only  warned  mankind  of 
the  evil  nature  of  sin,  but  also  assured  them 
of  the  ability  and  willingness  of  Christ 
to  save  unto  the  uttermost,  all  them  that 
come  unto  God  by  him.  Has  he  not  said, 
'*Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are 
heavy  laden  (a  call)  and  I  will  give  you  rest 
(a  promise.)  The  Saviour  has  told  us.  *'I 
am  the  way,  the  truth  and  life.  No  man 
comtth  unto  theFather,but  (mark  the  word 
but)  by, me.  Script  ire  alone  teaches  us  that 
he  is  the  key  to  open  the  door  of  mercy 
through  which  we  must  enteriif  our  pray- 
ers shall  be  heard  and  accepted  by  the 
Father,  for  there  is  no  other  name — 
although  we  may  have  many — under  hea- 
ven given  among  men  whereby  sinners 
can.  and  will  be  saved.  The  preaching 
which  we  especially  need  in  this  day  is 
the  plain  Spiritual  truths,  which  were 
preached  by  the  Apostles,  preaching 
which  comes  from  the  heart  of  the  minis- 
ter to  the  heart  of  his  hearers  Continue  to 
us  such  preaching  in  our  pulpits,  turn  aside 
from  the  philosophers,  essayists,  and  ethi- 
cal orators  which  speak  from  the  head, 
and  not  the  heart.  Seek  for  the  ministe- 
ring servants  like  Paul  who  desirea  to 
know  nothing  among  men,  but  Christ  and 
him  crucified,  and  who  was  not  ashamed, 
although  meeting  with  much  opposition 
and  persecution,  to  preach  the  whole  Gos- 
pel whether  men  would  accept  or  reject, 
the  calls  and  wooings  of  the  Gospel  truths. 
May  it  not  truly  be  said,  that  many  are 
living  unconcerned  as  to  what  they  hear. 
How  neglectfull  are    we    to  weigh  it  with 


the  scales  of  God's  Word  to  test  its  Spiri- 
tual truths.  The  choice  we  are  called 
upon  to  make  is  not  for  this  life,  but  for 
eternity.  And  as  we  learn  from  Scripture 
the  office  of  the  Ministry  is  the  most 
important  and  responsible  of  all  callings, 
being  of  divine  appointment,  sent  as  mei- 
sengers  by  God  to  man,  and  if  faithful 
like  the  apostles  they  must  declare  the 
whole  Gospel  however  painfull  the  truths 
may  be,  which  they  are  called  upon  to 
deliver,  although  man  may  be  unwil- 
ling to  receive  them. 

If  they  withhold  from  the  people  any  part 
of  the  Gospel,  and  in  consequence  sinners 
continue  in  ignorance  of  Spiritual  truths 
and  impenitent,  the  blood  of  ihose  who 
eventually  perish  in  their  sins,  shall  lie  at 
their  ioor.  But  if  a  minister  faithfully 
preach  the  Gospel  truths  as  it  in  Jesus,  h« 
is  free  from  the  blood  of  those  who  perish 
in  their  sins.  Their  blood  will  be  upon 
their  own  souls.  And  if  the  Gospel  is  of 
such  vital  importance  to  mankind,  is  it 
not  a  solemn  thought,  that  if  we  will  not 
obey  the  Gospel,  but  continue  to  reject  the 
counsel  of  God's  Word,  we  do  it  at  the  peril 
of  our  soul,  having  had  the  light  of  the 
Gospel,  and  yet  living  and  dying  in  sin. 
H   p.  Uemarkst. 


When  I  feel  a  desire  to  be  active  for  the 
Lord,  it  becomes  me  to  be  sensible  that  he 
does  not  need  me,  that  I  can  do  nothing 
without  him,  and  what  I  do  will  be  all  in 
vain  unless  in  the  Lord.  To  be  active, 
to  be  dependent,  and  lo  be  nothing;  is  very 
becoming  and  very  comely  in  those  who 
are  nothing  without  him. —  T  Charles. 


Before  you  go  to  the  University  of  Elec- 
tion you  must  go  to  the  Grammer  School 
of  Faith  and  Repentance. — Cecil. 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


CHURCH  NEWS 


Michigan  Notes. 

The  American  speaking  church  of  our 
denomination,  recently  organized  in  Mus- 
kegon, Mich.,  is  doing  very  well.  The 
building  in  which  they  worship  for  the 
present  belonging  to  a  Danish  congregation 
is  crowded  every  Lord's  day  The  Sabbath 
school  numbers  60  scholars.  The  founda- 
tion has  been  laid  for  a  new  church  home 
of  their  own.     We  rejoice  in  this. 

The  second  church  of  Englewood,  Chi- 
cago, 111.,  also  English  speaking  and  of 
recent  date;  is  likewise  progressing.  Lots 
are  purchased  and  a  church  building  will 
be  erected  on  them  before  long.  It  is  esti- 
mated to  cost  about  $6000.  Attempts  will 
be  made  very  soon  to  call  a  minister  of 
their  own.  We  admire  the  energy  and 
self  sacrificing  zeal  our  Englewood  brethren 
and  sisters  display  and  pray  the  Lord  may 
prosper  them. 

Rev.  J.  Groen,  pastor  of  the  East  Street 
Chr.  Reformed  Church  of  Grand  Rapids, 
has  been  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Cen- 
tral ave.  Church  of  Holland,  Mich.,  to  suc- 
ceed Rev.  Van  Hoogen. 

Our  good  brother  Rev.  J.  Bolt  was  instal- 
led as  pastor  of  the  church  of  Cleveland, 
West  Side,  on  Oct.  25.  Cand.  Nagel  on  the 
same  date  was  inducted  into  the  oflice  of 
pastor  of  the  congregation  on  the  East  Side. 
Rev,  J.  Groen  officiated  on  both  occasions. 
We  trust  our  young  brethren  will  be  a 
blessing  to  Cleveland  and  further  the  cause 
of  Americanization  wisely  and  well. 

I.  Der  Reformierte  Bote",  or  Reformed 
Messenger  is,  as  many  of  the  readers  of 
'' The  Banner''  ^wo^N,  the  German  monthly 
of  our  Church.  It  is  published  at  Pella,  la. 
In  its  October  issue.  Rev.  W.  R  Smidt  of 
Wellsburg,  la.  writes  an  interesting  account 
of  a  mission     festival  he   attended.     In  the 


course  of  his  letter  brother  Smidt  speak.s  of 
the  desirability  and  necessity  of  a  German 
Seminary  of  our  Church  in  the  West.  ''If 
we",  he  states,  "if  we  had  only  one  profes- 
sor with  half  a  dozen  God  fearing  siudents, 
they  could  be  very  useful  in  the  present  and 
would  be  such  more  and  more  in  the  fu- 
ture. We  entertain  the  hope  that  our 
Classis  (East  Priesland)  will  submit  some 
such  proposition  to  our  Synod".  We  give 
this  item  at  present  simply  as  a  news  item. 
Perhaps  later  on  comment  may  follow.  At 
any  raie,  let  us  say,  this  is  a  very  signifi- 
cant paragraph. 

The  little  German  congregation  of  George, 
la.  recently  welcomed  a  pastor  of  its  own, 
Rev.  Niehaus,  who  was  called  from  Ger- 
many to  serve  this  church  as  a  successor  of 
Rev.  J.  Gulker.  Brother  Gulker  is  at  pres- 
ent laboring  on  the  Pacific  coast,  as  one  of 
our  home  missionaries.  We  are  sorry  to 
hear  that  his  esteemable  wife  is  somewhat 
invalid 

The  new  edifice  the  Alpine  Ave  con- 
gregation is  erecting  is  slowly  nearing  its 
completion.  Still  it  will  take  a  couple  of 
months  yet  we  are  informed,  before  it  can 
be  occupied.  It  promises  to  be  a  very  fine 
building. 

Rev.  J  Manni  well  known  in  the  East 
was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  Church  of 
Collendoorn  or  East  Saugatuck  on  Oct.  18' 
Rev.  J.  Post  performed  the  work  of  instal- 
lation. Bro.  Manni's  last  charge  was  the' 
Third  Church  of  Muskegon,  Mich. 

Cheering  news  comes  to  us  from  the 
church  of  Northwest  street,  Kalamazoo, 
Mich.  During  the  ministrations  of  its  two 
preceding  pastors,  who  both  left  to  join  the 
Reformed  Church,  the  work  somehow  did 
not  prosper  as  well  as  it  might.  But  since 
Rev.  J.  Keizer  has  been  settled  over  it,  the 
congregation  rejoice  in  the  manifold  bless- 
ings of  the  Lord  and  is  continually  strength- 
ened. 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


77 


The  Rev.  F.  Fortuin,  one  of  the  pastors 
alluded  to  above,  has  retraced  his  steps 
and  come  back  to  our  Church  At  present 
he  is  pastor  of  the  congregation  of  Hull, 
la.,  succeeding  our  venerable  brother  Rev. 
W.  Greve.  Brother  Fortuin  has  written  a 
book  on  his  '-Return  to  the  Chr.  Reformed 
Church."  It  contains  his  regrets  for  hav- 
ing left  our  denomination,  and  especially 
does  it  contain  a  number  of  serious  charges 
against  the  doctrine  and  government  of  the 
Reformed  Church.  It  would  be  worth 
while  to  discuss  this  book  more  fully,  but 
at  present  lack  of  time  prevents  it. 

Melis  Stoke  Jr. 

The  Fourteenth  Street  Christian  Ref  d 
Church  of  Holland,  Mich,  have  had  a  new 
pipe  organ  put  in  their  house  of  worship. 
It  is  built  of  quartered  oak,  surmounted 
by  gilt  pipes  suitably  decorated,  and  is  a 
fitting  addition  to  their  pretty  Church 
which  was  dedicated  the  18th  of  last  Fe- 
bruary. The  formal  installation  of  this 
handsome  instrument  took  place  on  Sept. 
30th  on  which  occasion  the  large  assembly 
present  were  favored  with  several  pleasing 
selections  rendered  by  Prof.  C  N.  Col- 
well  of  Grand  Rapids  The  pastor  Rev. 
D.  R.  Drukker  made  some  interesting  re- 
marks, acknowledging  the  blessings  that 
had  been  bestowed  by  God  upon  this  new 
congregation,  which  in  so  short  a  time  has 
been  enabled  to  erect  a  new  house  of 
worship  and  secure  so  fine  an  organ. 
After  sum  singing  by  the  choir  and  a 
quartet,  the  services  were  closed  with  the 
whole  congregation  singing  the    doxology. 


Report  of  The  Classis  of 
sack. 


Hacken= 


Classis  met  in  regular  session  in  Hacken- 
sack  N.  J, on  October  20  ih.  The  Classical 
sermon    »vas  preached  by   Rev.     E.  O    Van 


Duyne  from  the  text  Deut.  32  :  9.  10. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  service  the  busi- 
ness session  was  opened  by  the  retiring 
president  Rev.  J.  A.  Westervelt.  Eight 
ministers  and  eleven  elders  were  present. 
Rev.  G.  A.  Haring  was  elected  president 
and  Rev.  J.  A.  Westervelt  for  Clerk  pro 
tem.  For  Committee  on  supplies  Rev.  K. 
Poppen  and  elders  J.  C.  Van  Saun  and  J, 
S.  Westervelt  were  appointed.  For  com- 
mittee on  minutes  Rev.  J.  F.  Van  Houten 
and  elders  J.  P.  Christie  and  H.  P.  Dema- 
rest.  The  treasurer  of  Classis  reported  a 
balance  on  hand  of  $204,13.  The  Finance 
commitee  reported  the  account  correct  and 
recommended  the  same  rates  of  assess- 
ment for  the  ensuing  six  months.  Each 
congregation  was  also  asked  to  take  a  spe- 
cial collection  beside  their  regular  assess- 
ment, and  send  the  same  to  the  Classical 
treasurer  before  the  next  Spring  session  for 
the  purpose  of  meeting  our  indebtedness  to 
the  Theological  School.  The  delegate  from 
Monsey  expressed  their  gratitude  for  the 
aid  received  from  Classis  and  requested 
the  balance  not  drawn  by  them  to  be  placed 
to  their  credit  on  their  back  debt.  This 
was  granted.  The  Committee  to  report  on 
the  elegibility  of  ministers  without  charge 
reported  as  follows — "We  find  on  page 
68  art. 63  that  all  the  ministers,  with  an  elder 
from  every  congregation,  within  a  particu- 
lar district  are  members  of  a  classical  as- 
sembly. This  has  been  literally  construed 
by  classis  ever  since  its  existence  and  we 
find  noihins-  on  the  minutes  to  change 
this  interpretation  nor  practice.  In  regard 
U)  Manuals  a  new  one  was  published  in  the 
Holland  language  in  1897.  Hut  your  com- 
mittee find  that  by  the  articles  or  condi- 
tions of  union  this  can  have  no  effect  on 
our  present  Church  Manual  as  those  condi- 
tions state  that  the  internal  difference  of 
the  classis  of  Hackensack  from  the  Holland 
Christian  Ref.  Church  shall  not  be    di.siur- 


f8 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH 


bed."  On  the  acceptance  of  this  report 
Rev.  J.  N.  Trompen  informed  the  Chissis 
of  his  intention  to  appeal  to  the  next 
Synod.  A  recess  for  one  hour  and  a  half 
was  then  taken  for  lunch.  In  the  after- 
noon the  publication  connmittee  reported 
and  their  report  was  accepted.  An  impor- 
tant part  of  their  report  was  the  recbm- 
mendation  of  a  chan^^e  in  The  Banner  of 
Truth  whereby  its  field  of  usefullness 
might  be  enlarged.  It  was  proposed  that  a 
stock  company  be  formed,  and  if  this  be 
accomplished,  it  was  requested  that  the 
Classis  assign  to  this  company  the  Banner 
of  Truth  with  all  its  interest  and  respon- 
sibilities. After  some  discussion  it  was  re- 
solved. "Thai  the  report  of  the  Publica- 
tion Com.  on  the  Banner  oi  Truth  be  ac- 
cepted, and  the  recommendation  granted 
with  the  understanding  that  the  Classis  of 
Hackensack  continue  to  have  the  privilege 
of  publishing  her  proceedings  and  reports." 
The  Supply  committee  presented  a  partial 
report  which  was  accepted,  ordered 
to  be  printed  and  the  committee 
directed  to  complete  its  report  and  have 
the  same  published.  A  paper  from  Pro- 
fessor A.  J.  Rooks  in  regard  to  the  raising 
of  an  endowment  fund  of  $25,000  for  the 
founding  and  supporting  a  college  to  .  be 
known  as  the  John  Calvin  junior  college 
was  read  and  received  and  a  resolution  pas- 
sed authorizing  the  circulation  of  subscrip- 
tion lists  for  this  purpose  among  the  diffe- 
rent congregations,  and  the  same  to  be 
returned  to  the  stated  Clerk  who  should 
forward  them  to  the  proper  parties. 

Rev.  A. P.  Pearson  superintendent,  of  the 
colored  widows  and  orphans  home  and  in- 
dustrial training  school  of  Nashville,  Tenn. 
was  then  permitted  to  speak  in  the  interest 
of  his  school.  On  motion  it  was  resolved 
that  he  send  the  Secretary  of  Classis  a 
brief  statement  of  his  cause  and  the  same 
be  printed  in  the  Banner,     with   the  recom- 


mendation that  if  any  feel  willing  to  aid 
said  cause  that  they  send  their  contribution 
through  the  Clerk  Pro  tern,  R^v.  J.  A. 
Westervelt. 

A  young  man  by  the  name  of  Mr.  D.  B. 
Yan  Horn  presented  himself  to  the  classis 
and  desired  to  be  received  as  a  student. 
He  was  advised  to  study  under  a  private 
tutor  until  the  next  regular  session  when 
his  application  will  be  further  considered. 
Permission  was  asked  by  one  congregation 
to  erase  the  name  of  a  baptized  member. 
The  mission  work  in  this  classis  was  consi- 
dered and  it  was  resolved  to  refer  the  same 
to  the  Synodical  Board  Domestic  Missions. 
Revs.  G.  A.  Haring,  J.  C  Voorhis 
and  J.  A.  Westervelt  and  elders 
James  Christie,  Jacob  Bakelaar,  Thomas 
Qua  and  B.  Breen  were  re  elected  as 
Trustees.  It  was  resolved  that  future  as- 
sesments  be  made  in  accordance  with  the 
statistics  of  the  New  year  book  A  resolu- 
tion was  passed  to  have  the  classical  ser- 
mon printed.  A  vote  of  thanks  was  ex- 
tended for  the  kind  entertainment  given  by 
the  Ladies  ot  theHackensack  congregation. 
After  the  reading  of  minutes  Clasgis  ad- 
journed to  meet  at  Passaic  on  the  third 
Tue.sday  of  April  next  and  that  the  sermon 
be  preached  by  Rev.  J  N.  Trompen  Prim, 
or  Rev.  J.  F.  Van  Houten  Secundus. 

Englewood  items. 

During  the  month  of  October,  the  various 
services  of  the  Christian  Reformed  Church 
were  conducted  by  Rev.  John  Webinga. 
The  good  will  between  preacher  and  con- 
gregation grew  from  sabbath  lo  sabbath, 
while  better  Church  attendance  and  ef- 
fectinnate  leaves  taking  must  have  been 
very  encouraging  to  Rev.  Webinga.  He 
left  on  Monday,  Oct.  26.  for  his  home  in 
Holland  Michigan. 

The  conffre£ration  is  glad    to     know    that 


THE  BANNER    OF  TRUTH. 


59 


The  argument  of  Faith. 

The  principal  truth  urged  in  the  Gospel 
is  the  doctrine  of  faith,  and  the  condition 
of  man  respecting  it  as  a  principle  possess- 
ed of  saving  qualities. 

That  there  is,  and  has  ever  been  a  tend- 
ency in  man  towards  unbelief  is  the  posi- 
tive declaration  of  God  in  his  word.  And 
in  the  absence  of  faith;  he  is  seeking  out 
many  inventions  to  sustain  a  hope  within 
himself  against  the  conditions  to  which 
he  admits  he  is  exposed.  The  world  is 
filled  with  false  sentiments  respecting 
true  religion  These  sentiments  are  the 
products  of  man's  wisdom— whether  they 
originate  in  the  Idolator,  or  in  the  soul 
who  draws  near  to  God  with  his  lips, 
while  his  heart  is  far  from  him. 

To  have  faith  in  God  naturally  supposes 
that  such  a  soul  will  embrace  his  word, 
for  how  can  a  man  believe  when  he  calls 
in  question  the  word  of  God?  The  faith 
that  repudiates  any  part  of  God's  revealed 
truths  makes  uncertain  any  part  which 
such  a  soul  is  inclined  to  accept.  For 
instance  a  faith  that  repudiates  punish- 
ment for  sin,  which  is  soplainly  declared 
by  our  Lord  in  his  teachings,  can  certainly 
have  little  assurance  of  the  blessedness 
promised'the  godly.  That  is,  if  our  faith 
rejects  the  idea  of  eternal  punisment  for 
sin,  it  must  also  reject  the  word  of  God  as 
a  whole,  because  it  then  ceases  to  be  a 
tdngible  ground  of  faith 

On  the  other  hand  faith  that  embraces 
God's  most  holy  word  discovers  not  alone 
what  an  evil  thing  sin  is,  but  it  discovers 
help  laid  upon  the  arm  of  God  for  the  sin- 
ner's deliverance,  and  creates  a  desire  in 
his  heart  to  show  true  thankfulness  of 
God  for  such  a  deliverance.  It  cannot  be 
otherwise.  A  soul  that  receives  a  favour 
from  his    fellow    mortal    experiences  this 


sentiment  towards  his  benefactor.  This  is 
the  manner  in  which  the  Church  presents 
this  truth,  Again  such  a  faith  is  singular 
in  its  character,  because  it  dares  not  ques- 
tion Revelation,  while  it  is  compelled  to 
question  itself,  from  the  very  fact  that  it 
finds  so  mvch  in  itself  that  is  inconsis- 
tent with  God's  teachings,  and  has  a  ten- 
dency to  produce  sorrow  of  heart  because 
of  indwelling  evil.  It  is  the  very  fact 
that  a  man  believes  God's  word  that  pro- 
duces this  sorrow  in  the  heart  of  man. 

Again  where  true  faith  in  God's  word 
truly  exists  there  will  be  little  excuse  for 
sin.  Such  a  soul  will  judge  itself  and 
condemn  itself,  and  feeling  himself  a  sin- 
ner before  God  will  plead  for  pardon  and 
will  realize  that  pardon  alone  can  bring 
comfort,  and  remove  distress.  Well,  this 
is  just  what  God's  word  teaches,  that  the 
soul  cannot  be  justified  by  the  deeds  of  the 
law,  because  all  his  deeds  are  imperfect, 
and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God.  But 
true  faith  finds  something  to  be  thankful 
for.  It  finds  that  there  is  forgiveness  with 
God.  and  though  his  case  is  made  despe- 
rate through  sin,  that  help  is  laid  upon 
the  Son  of  God.  and  that  he  is  able  to  save 
unto  the  uttermost  all  them  that  come 
unto  the  Father  by  him.  This  is  where 
faith,  and  hope  must  join  hands  Until 
faith  agrees  with  what  God  has  spoken, 
it  is  only  a  creature  faith  and  displeasing 
to  God  because  it  has  dared  to  repudiate 
God's  word,  and  to  exalt  itself  above  God 
in  determining  just  how  much  of  God's 
word  is  to  be  believed;  and  how  much  is 
to  be  rejected  by  them  There  can  be  no 
question  to  the  fact,  that  an  unbroken 
sinner,  is  an  unbelieving  sinner.  And 
unless  we  are  truly  believers  in  the  fact, 
that  our  sins  are  the  cause  of  our 
separation  from  God,  we  will  not  be  in- 
clined to  seek  for.  or  hope  in,  the  merits  of 
Christ's  atoning  sacrifice. 


60 


THE   BANNER  OP  TRUTH 


Now  Faith  as  a  principle  relies  upon 
God's  promise.  Their  sins,  though  like 
scarlet,  may  be  removed  and  will  be  can- 
celed, and  blotted  out  that  come  unto  God 
through  Jesus  Christ,  because  his  blood 
cleanses  from  all  sin,  and  that  his  grace 
i«  suflSlcient  for  him  in  all  bis  needs,  and 
will  work  in  him  both  to  will  and  do  of 
God's  good  pleasure. 

Such  a  faith  ascribes  nothing  to  the 
creature  but  his  sins,  and  hopes  for  noth- 
ing in  creature  merit.  It  is  compelled  to 
part  with  all  its  former  hopes  to  rest  alone 
upon  the  arm  of  Christ  for  peace,  joy  and 
comfort.  The  argument  for  faith  is,  that 
chief  of  sinners  are  saved  by  grace,  that 
there  is  an  abundant  hope,  set  before  us  in 
the  gosple  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord, 
while  the  sentiment  that  questions  this 
truth,  is  compelled  to  rely  upon  their  own 
resources  for  comfort  and  happiness. 

There  are  many  inventions  which  man 
has  discovered,  but  none  of  them  will  span 
the  bridgeless  river  to  which ^  we  are  hast- 
ening. God  has  in  mercy  discovered  a 
way,  but  if  we  will  reject  his  word — we 
will  die  in  our  sins.  S   I.  V. 

>  >         > 

Psalmody  Committee   meeting. 

The  Joint  Committee  for  preparing  a 
uniform  version  of  the  Inspired  Psalms 
ia  Metre  held  their  tenth  meeting  at  Sil- 
ver Bay,  N.  Y.  from  Sept.  9th  to  the  16th. 
Thirteen  delegates  were  present  represen- 
ting eight  churches,  as  follows— two  from 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  three  from  the 
Canada  Presbyterian  Church,  three  from 
the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Charch  Gene- 
ral Synod,  one  from  the  Associate  Presby. 
t2rian  church,  one  from  theUnited  Pres. 
terian  Church,  one  from  the  Reformed 
church,  and  one  from  the  Christian  Re- 
formed Church.  Three  sessions  were 
held  each  day,     during  which       the   fir«t 


thirty-four  psalms  of  the  Bible  were  re- 
vised and  adopted,  and  also  a  second 
version  of  Psalms  1,  19  and  23  The  next 
meeting  of  the  committee  will  be  next 
April  in  Philadelphia,  and  it  is  hoped  that 
the  revision  will  then  be  completed.  The 
General  Assemblies  or  Synods  of  the 
several  Churches  will  be  notified  and  re- 
quested to  appoint  committees  to  examine 
the  work  when  finished. 


Murder  Accomplices. 

What  a  great  responsibility  rests  with 
the  principal  powers  of  Europe?  for  by 
their  grace,  Turkey  remains  on  the  map 
of  Europe,  a  menace  to  modern  civiliza- 
tion and  Christianity.  A  most  appaling 
spectacle  is  witnessed  in  Macenonia  where 
the  unspeakable  Turk  is  slaughtering  de- 
fenceless men,  women  and  children,  and 
the  christian  (?)  powers  are  looking  on 
with  complacence.  Alas!  what  mockery, 
what  shame,  can  it  be  that  the  righteous 
God  will  not  be  avenged  on  these  so  called 
christian  nations?  For  certainly  the  blood 
shed  in  Macedonia  will  rest  Upon  England, 
Germany  and  Russia.  But  why  are  they 
silent?  Near  and  jealousy,  least  by  the 
just  punishment  of  the  Turk,  either  of 
these  great  powers  might  gain  the  advant- 
age, and  so  the  statue  quo,  is  the  present 
rule. 

>      >      ^ 

The  Disciple  of  Jesus. 

Translated  from  the  German. 
The  greatest  proof  of  love  which  can  be 
felt  for  a  fellow-creature  is  exhibited  in 
anxious  desire  for  his  happiness  in  time 
and  eternity.  A  worthy  minister,  named 
Fruhauf,  who  laboured  for  upwards  of 
thirty  years  in  Ilolstein,  of  whom  the 
following  interesting  circumstance  is  nar- 


THE  BANNER  oE  TRUTH. 


61 


fatdd,  Was  remarkably. filled,  even  to  over- 
flowiDg,  with  this  genuine  love  towards  his 
fellow-creatures. 

This  devoted  disciple  of  Jesus  was  ac- 
customed in  his  walks  to  pray  aloud, 
both  for  himself  and  others,  and  on  this 
account  chose  lonely  and  unfrequented 
by-paths,  as  being  convenient  for  thus 
holding  intercourse  with  his  Savoun  It 
was  to  him  an  elevating  thought  that 
God's  kingdom  flourished  over  all  the 
earth,  and  that  the  will  of  God  should  one 
day  be  don©  upon  this  earth  as  it  is  in  heav- 
en. Most  of  the  meadows  and  fields  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Holstein  are  surround- 
ed by  hedges,  the  entrance  consisting  of 
a  door,  somewhat  similar  to  a  turnpike 
gate.  One  of  these  meadows  had  long  been 
used  by  the  inhabitants  of  Holstein  as  a 
thoroughfare)  and  the  owner,  a  neighbour- 
ring  peasant,  determined  no  longer  to 
permit  this>  resorted  to  physical  force  as 
the  most  effectual  means  of  preserving  his 
ground  from  intruders.  Accordingly, 
about  the  time  of  the  usual  stroll  of  the 
Holsteiners,  he  concealed  himsef  behind 
the  hedge,  armed  with  a  cudgel. 

He  had  not  thus  lain  long  in  wait,  when 
the  gate  opened,  and  the  worthy  pastor 
Fruhauf  entered  the  meadow  alone.  All 
Nvas  still,  save  the  voice  of  nature;  the 
birds  twittered  in  the  leafy  hedges,  as  if 
praising  the  God  who  preserved  them;  the 
gurgling  of  the  near  stream  seemed  to  his 
ears  to  speak  of  a  beneficent  Creator,  and, 
together  with  the  rural  landscape  appear 
ed  to  make  a  deep  impression  on  him. 
Raising  his  eyes  toward  heaven^  and  fold- 
ing his  hands,  he  entered  the  meadow 
praying,  and  distinctly  spoke  these  words: 
— 'O  Thou  bounteous  God,  Father  in  heav- 
en, bless  the  owner  of  this  lovely  spot! 
Manifest  to  him  the  drawings  of  Thy  Holy 
Spirit.  Give  him  to  feel  the  love  of  the 
Father  in  His  Son  Christ  Jesus  who     died 


for  sinnersv  Grant  to  him  the  pardon  of 
his  sins.  Yes,  loving  Saviour,  grant  that 
he  may,  by  virtue  of  Thy  death,  obtain  an 
entrance  into  Thy  kingdom  of  joy,  where 
he  may,  with  us.  Thy  redeemed  onee. 
praise  Thy  holy  name."  Not  a  word  of 
the  hearfelt  prayer  of  the  hoary-headed 
divine  escaped  the  peasant,  who  lay  in 
wait  with  his  cudgel  while  he  was  thus 
pleaded  for.  Letting  his  weapon  fall,  and 
scarce  knowing  what  had  happened,  he 
fell  upon  his  knees,  and  there  remained 
for  some  time.  When  he  afose,  he  waS 
about  to  hasten  after  the  man,  but  he  had 
long  since  passed  on,  ahd  the  same  stillness 
reigned  in  the  meadow.  Lost  in  thought, 
he  turned  towards  home,  where  his  wife, 
aware  of  his  previous  determination,  met 
him. 

"Well,  have  you  caught  any  one?*' 

"Oh,  dear  v/ife,''said  he,  tears  stream- 
ing  down  his  cheeks,  "there  was  one,  but 
he  caught  me.'' 

"Caught  you!  how  so?  Surely  you  Could 
defend  yourself.'* 

"Yes,  yes,  but  he  was  stronger  than  L 
for  he  had  wholly  different  weapons.  Lis- 
ten: late  in  the  afternoon  there  passed 
some  one  through  my  meadow;  but  be 
offered  for  me  the  most  heartfelt  prayer  I 
ever  heard  in  my  life.  He  seized  me  like 
the  arms  of  a  giant,  threw  me  on  my  knees 
before  God,  and  made  me  feel  that  I  am  a 
desperate  sinner.  And  more;  listen  again. 
To-morrow  I  will  go  to  the  pa  tor  in  Hoi 
stein,  and  ask  him  how  I  can  become  like 
the  old  man  who  passed  through  the  mea- 
dow; and  you  shall  go  with  me.' 

When  the  pe.i»ant  arrived  the  next 
morning,  he  was  still  more  surprised  to 
see  in  the  mini.<?ter,  Fruhauf,  the  same  old 
man  who  had  so  earnestly  prayed  for  him 
the  preceding  day.  This  is  the  man  of 
God  himself,  exclaimed  he  to  his  wife, 
'who  prayed  for    you    and  me."     Bidding 


(J^ 


THE  BAKNER  OF  TRiJTH. 


them  both  be  seated,  the  pastor  then  heard 
how  God  had  answered  his  prayer  for  his 
neighbour,  which,  in  the  fulness  of  his 
love  towards  himi  he  hath  breathed  forth. 
The  man  was  truly  awakened;  and  the 
circumstances  made  such  an  impression  on 
his  wife  thet  she  was  constrained  attend 
with  her  husband  the  ministry  of  the  lov- 
ing old  pastor.  In  after  days,  both  had 
cause  to  bless  God  for  His  mercy  in 
arranging  that  singular  prayer-meeting, 
^         ^  ^ 

Church  or  World, 

Is  il  not  true  that  the  line  of  distinction 
between  these  two  bodies  is  almost  lost 
sight  of  in  this  day?  Yet  to  one  of  them 
we  must  and  do  belong.  We  must  bear  in 
mind  that  in  Scripture  the  distinction  is 
plainly  revealed  It  is  there  shown  that 
the  Church  is  a  congregation,  a  society  of 
men  called  of  God  by  the  Gospel  out  of 
the  world  that  lieth  in  wickedness  into  the 
faith,  fellowship^  obedience  and  worship  of 
our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  They 
are  called  a  particular  body  of  men  that 
meet  together  to  profess,  worship  and  serve 
the  Lord  Christ.  And  then  again  we  learn 
that  in  tlie  assembly  are  rulers  who  meet 
not  in  man's  but  in  Christ's  name  and 
authority,  to  execute  his  laws  and  govern 
his  people  in  a  congregation,  a  much  neg- 
lected duty  in  this  day. 

'Te  should  ever  remember  that  in  every 
age  or  generation  Jesus  Christ  is  the 
Church's  Foundation  and  Head.  The 
Word  of  God  is  a  binding  rule  of  authority 
and  direction,  to  his  glory  and  salvation  of 
men.  Only  those  who  by  faith  are  united 
to  his  person  and  sanctified  by  his  indwel- 
ling Spirit  are  his  true  disciples  or  follow- 
ers— nut  as  today,  all  men  are  his  disciples. 

The  marks  and  evidences  of  a  saint  are 
those  vvho  worship  God  in  the  spirit, — not 
flesh— actuated  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  having 


no  confidence  in  the  flesh  nor  in  their  OWtl 
righteousness  for  acceptance,  but  plead 
the  merits  and  righteousness  of  Christ  aS 
the  ground  of  their  hop;.  They  have 
become  new  creatures  in  Christ  Jesus  Thp 
Veil  of  unbelief  has  been  removed  from 
their  eyes,  and  by  the  power  of  divine 
graces  they  have  turned  to  the  Lord.  The 
Word  of  God  is  no  longer  a  sealed  book  but 
has  become  a  Lamp  unto  their  feet  and 
alight  unto  their  pathway. 

Unless  the  Spirit  of  revelation  be  made 
known  unto  us  Christ  cannot  be  effectuallj' 
or  savingl}^  Unown.  When  Peter  made 
confession  of  his  faith  in  Christ  as  the  Son 
of  the  living  God,  our  Lord  said  unto  him. 
"Blessed  art  thou,  Simon  Barjuna,  for 
flesh  and  blood  hath  not  revealed  it  into 
unto  thee,  but  my  Father  which  is  in  Hea- 
ven." It  is  only  by  the  grace  of  God,  that 
we  are  what  we  are— a  hard  doctrine  to  bo-= 
lieve  in  this  day,  Christ's  people  are  his 
by  the  gift  of  the  Father  Christ  in  ad- 
dressing his  Father  says.  "Thine  they 
were,  and  thou  gavest  them  me,"  again, 
"Behold  I,  and  tlia  children  ^Vhich  thou 
hast  given   me," 

Many  tell  us  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
draw  the  line  of  distinction  between  the 
Church  and  World.  It  is  true;  there  arc 
black  sheep  in  nearly  every  fold.  How  was 
it  when  Christ  was  here  upon  earth?  There 
were  twelve  disciples,  yet  even  among  that 
number  there  was  a  Judas.  And  is  it  not 
equally  true  that  there  are  parents,  the 
one  of  the  Church,  the  other  of  the  world? 
and  is  it  not  a  lamentable  truth  that  of- 
ten the  children  will  follow  after  the  foot- 
steps of  the  one  of  the  world?  How  much 
concern  and  alarm  has  it  caused  many 
a  parent  for  the  spiritual  welfare  and  salva- 
tion of  their  souls?  And  why  is  it  that 
there  is  so  little  concern  for  the  Church? 
Is  the  Bible  at  fault?  do  you  deny  it  to  be 
ihe  inspired  Word  of  God?     Do  you  hiy  the 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


3? 


al  reason  and  human  judgment  can  grasp 
it  can  not  be  truo.  Matt.  13:11.  "He 
answered  and  said  unto  them,  because  il  is 
given  unto  you  to  icnow  the  mysteries  of 
the  kingdom  of  heaven  but  to 
them  it  is  not  given."  1  Cor.  2  :  14. 
"But  the  natural  man  receiveth 
not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God;  for  they 
are  foolishness  unto  him,  neither  can  he 
know  them,  because  they  are  spiritually 
discerned."  Jesus  also  tells  us  Matt.  11  :35 
"that  it  is  hid  from  the  wise  and  prudent 
and  revealed  unto  babes." 

As  to  following  the  creeds,  he  declares  it 
is  not  right.  If  the  creed  is  in  agreement 
with  God's  word  why  is  it  not  right  ?  Let 
us  stand  by  the  inspired  word,  which  when 
rightly  interpreted  wil  not  contradict  itself 
and  present  a  beautiful  harmony  in  a  God 
honoring  creed.  In  ignorance  of  God's 
plan  for  the  recovery  of  the  world  from  sin 
and  its  consequences.  In  following  the  prima- 
ry meaning  of  the  greek  word  Ecclesia, 
it  means  called  out.  The  church  is  dis- 
tinct from  the  world.  Nowhere  can  we 
find  by  the  greatest  stretch  of  exegesis, 
that  the  Bible  or  the  God  of  the  Bible, 
ever  intended  that  all  the  world  wo  ild  be 
saved,  John  15  :  18,  19:  "If  the  world  hate 
you,  ye  know  that  it  hated  me  before  it 
hated  you.  If  ye  were  of  the  world,  the 
world  would  love  his  own;  but  because 
ye  are  not  of  the  world,  but  I  have 
chosen  you  out  of  the  world,  therefore  the 
world  hateth  you.  John  15  :  16,  "Ye  have 
not  chosen  me  but  I  have  chosen  you. 

In  explanation  of  the  chart  is- 
sued by  the  Watchman  of  Chicago,  in 
which  is  shown  the  multitudes  in  the 
darkness  of  heathendom  and  but  a  small 
proportion  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth 
who  are  truly  Christian,  he  coments 
thus,  {Page  1 8,)  "We  can  not  believe  that 
God's  j;r eat  plan  of  salvation  was  even  intend- 
ed   to  be,     er     ever  will    be  such     a    failure."' 


God's  plan  of  salvation  will  not  fail,  John 
6:37,  "All  that  the  Father  giveth  me, 
shall  come  to  me;  and  him  that  cometh  to 
me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out."  The  church 
the  body  of  Christ,  will  be  a  perfect  body; 
every  member  of  that  mystical  body  will 
be  perfect.  And  the  Gentiles  (Heathen) 
shall  come  to  thy  light.  Isa.  60  :  2,  3. 
This  prophecy  was  fulfilled  in  the  times 
of  the  ingathering  of  the  gentiles,  when  the 
Jews  were  cut  off  for  a  season,  in  the  ac- 
complishing of  God's  plan,  until  the  ful- 
ness of  the  Gentiles  shall  be  gathered  in, 
then  Israel  shall  be  restored  to  God's  favor 
again,  so  all  Israel  shall  be  baved,  the  true 
Israel  of  God  who  shall  form  a  part  of  the 
elect  Church  redeemed  by  Christ,  which 
shall  be  gathered  out  of  every  nation,  lang- 
uage, tongue  and  people. 

Page  23.  Then  by  degrees  there  came  into 
existence  a  special  class  called  "■  the  clergy"  Eph. 
4  :  II,  12  "And  he  gave  some  apostles,  and 
some  prophets;  and  some  evangelist;  and 
some  pastors  and  teachers;  For  the  perfect- 
ing of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of 
Christ;  (the  church).  Rom.  10  :  14,  15. 
How  then  shall  they  call  on  him  in  whom 
they  have  not  believed?  and  how  shall  they 
believe  in  him  of  whom  they  have  not 
heard?  And  how  shall  they  hear  without 
a  preacher  ?  And  how  shall  they  preach 
except  they  be  sent?  as  it  is  written,  How 
beautiful  are  the  feet  of  them  that  preach 
the  gospel  of  peace,  and  bring  good  tidings 
of  good  things?  Now  while  he  may  reflect 
upon  this  special  class,  they  are  those  who 
are  called  of  God  as  was  Aaron,  and  no  man 
taketh  this  honor  to  himself. 

Again  on  page  23,  ^'God  raised  up  bold 
champions  for  his  word  in  the  titnes  of  the  re- 
formation such  as  Luther,  Z7vingh\  Afrlaii- 
than.  M'ycliffe.,  K'nox  aud  othfrs  "  True, 
but  none  of  ih^se  lield  to  second  prob-Ation, 
nor  universal  salvation:  nor  dj;!  th»y  -appeal 


40 


THE  BANNER  OF  TRUTH. 


The  Banner  of  Truth. 


JL  magazine  devoted  to  the  spread  of  Bible 
Truth.  Published  monthly  at  Paterson,  N.  J. 
by  order  of  the  Classis  of  Hackensack,  under 
the  supervision  of  the  Publication  Committee 
coafeisting  of  Eevs.  J.  C.  Yoorhis,  S.  I.  Vander- 
b©sk,  and  J.  A.  Westervelt. 


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De  sent  to  Rev.  J.  A.  Westervelt.  Correspondincr 
Editor  and  Treasurer,  50  N.  First  St.,  Pater- 
son, N.  J. 


Kicking  against  the  pricks. 

The  tendency  is  to  broaden  the 
mental  conception  and  interpretation 
of  Scripture,  and  to  so  modify  the 
old  confessions  that  they  shall  be 
more  pleasin/  to  the  modern  profes- 
sing church.  But  many  of  the  mod- 
ifications may  be  answered,  as  the 
Lord  answered  Saul;  "it  is  hard  for 
thee     to  kick  against  the  pricks  '' 

Take  the  article  on  elect  infants. 
Xow  if  all  are  saved,  how  can  we  re- 
concile all  of  tlie  covenant  assurances 
to  believing  parents,  if  the  children 
of  unbelievers  are  all  elect?  We  im- 
mediately find  it  hard  to  kick  against 
that  prick  of  truth.  When  do  elect 
infants  loose  their  election?  At  what 
age?  when  do  they  become  responsi- 
ble? And  if  the  modern  charity  con- 
cludes all  as  elect,  why  not  include 
all  the  vast  nations  and  generations 
of  heathendom  who  have  died  with- 
out a  knowledge  of  the  true  God? 
Then  there  is  another  of  God's  pricks, 


if  the  heathen  without  the  gospel  are 
al  elect,  why  should  we  spend  vast 
treasure  to  make  them  non  elect? 
The  word  of  God  stands  like  a  so'id 
square  with  bayonets  of  truth  brist- 
ling on  every  side,  and  repelling  all 
assaults,  and  may  all  of  the  modern 
sentimentalists  like  Saul  of  Tarsus, 
have  their  eyes  opened  and  find 
'4t  is  hard  to  kick  against  the  pricks  '* 


Roman  Catholic  inequalty. 

While  the  qualifying  term  shows 
the  absurdity  of  the  claim,  and  con- 
tradiction of  the  primary,  meaning 
of  the  term  catholic,  in  these  times 
of  the  world  wide  interest  shown  in 
the  election  of  a  successor  to  Leo 
XIII,  where  is  the  justice,  or  least 
idea  of  right  ai'ising  from  the  rules 
of  representation?  Italy  v\^ith  her 
thirty  million  catholic  adherents  is 
represented  in  the  present  Cardma's 
conclave,  by  37  Italian  Cardinals 
while  the  entire  Roman  Catholic 
v/orld  outside  of  Italy  with  their 
200,000,000  adherents  are  having  only 
26  cardinals  to  represent  them  in  the 
conclave.  Italy  with  her  30,000,000 
has  37  cardinals.  North  America  with 
her  58,000,000,  has  but  3  Cardinals. 
The  injustice  and  inequality  is  clear- 
ly seen.  Why  is  it  that  there  is  no 
protest,  no  rebellion,  no  outcry?  Be 
cause  the  making  and  unmaking  of 
Cardinals  is  in  the  hands  of  an  in 
fallible  (?)  Pope  (?)  and  the  mass  of 
the  adherents  of  the  Eoman  Catholic 
church  ara  blind  followers  of  a  despo- 
tic Hierarchy,  and  we  have  a  secular 
press  of  fawning  cowards  who  are 
bowing  the  knee  to  secure  the  favor 
of  a  large  Roman  Catholic  following. 


'(mmB 


